Cam Newton contract: How much will former MVP earn as backup QB in NFL?

Cam Newton is ready to return to the NFL.

The 2015 MVP posted a video a couple of weeks ago announcing that he would be at the Auburn Pro Day. In the same video, he also sent a warning to the NFL's 32 starting quarterbacks, claiming that he would be competing for their spot.

And just recently, he listed the names of certain quarterbacks whom he would like to back up, putting Cleveland's Deshaun Watson on top:

The only question is, how much money will he earn if he ends up getting picked? While the competition for the starting job is intense, teams must also consider the amount of money they have to save.

Currently, Patrick Mahomes has the most lucrative contract in all of football, at $503 million for ten years. However, when taking bonuses out of the equation, he will receive $45 million annually. By contrast, Aaron Rodgers, who is awaiting a decision on his move to New York Jets, still has $100 million and two years on his contract for an annual average of $50 million.

But these guys are starters, and Newton has stated that he is willing to be a backup. Last year, the highest-paid backup in the league was Teddy Bridgewater, who accounted for $6.5 million of the Miami Dolphins' payroll.

And while Bridgewater has a Pro Bowl to his name, it pales in comparison to Newton, who has three appearances in addition to his MVP season. He is therefore expected to land in the $10-15 million range, as his age may be a deterrent from a higher amount.

How much has Cam Newton earned in the NFL?

There is a bevy of options for Cam Newton

Over his eleven years in the NFL, Cam Newton has earned $133.5 million on the field alone. He has been cut twice in his late career.

The first instance came in 2019, at the end of his run with Carolina Panthers. He signed with New England Patriots for a year in 2020, his contract being extended for the next year, only to be cut just before the season began. He returned to Carolina during the season, but did not play in 2022.

Who could sign Cam Newton in 2023?

With his return looming, Cat Crave recently outlined some 2023 options for Newton. The first are the aforementioned Browns and Watson, who could use a better backup than Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond. Another would be the Dolphins, who are looking for a quality reliever just in case Tua Tagovailoa gets concussed, which happened three times last year.

However, he could also start for the Ravens or the Packers, who could face bleak futures without their respective franchise faces Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers. There may also be a chance with the Titans, who are looking to move on from Ryan Tannehill after he hurt his foot last year.