Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) expects Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to top Ben Roethlisberger‘s $34.25MM in fully guaranteed cash at signing. Newton’s agent secured $38MM fully guaranteed at signing for fellow client Jay Cutler. Here’s more out of the NFC..
- Curious about Newton’s pending deal with the Panthers? Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer wrote up a FAQ about the pact, which will keep Newton under contract with the Panthers through 2020. Person notes that even though Newton’s deal is lucrative, it shouldn’t hamper the team’s ability to lock up star linebacker Luke Kuechly. That’s because GM Dave Gettleman cut high-priced veterans such as Steve Smith and DeAngelo Williams in favor of low-cost free agents.
- The Buccaneers have a pair of long snappers on their roster already, in Andrew DePaola and rookie Courtland Clavette, but the team took a look at another one today, working out veteran free agent Brandon Hartson, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).
- Don’t expect the Packers to take advantage of the post-June 1 designation by cutting any pricey veterans this month, writes Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. As Demovsky notes, the club already made its major cap-savings moves, releasing linebackers A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones in February.