Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will not hold out in the hopes of getting a contract extension, he told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (who was guest hosting The Dan Patrick Show). While Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson may use a hold-out as a way to angle for an extension, Newton says he won’t follow suit. “I think our positions are completely different,” he told Florio. “Being the leader of this team, I don’t think that would be a good look for me.”
Newton continued, noting that his priorities are on the field. “My main focus is trying to become a better player. I think Russell Wilson put a lot of pressure on young quarterbacks [by winning the Super Bowl], but needless to say, we don’t have that fallback answer no more. We’re no longer young quarterbacks.”
Newton is in the fourth year of his rookie deal, and is set to earn about $3.4MM. Under the new CBA, the Panthers hold a fifth-year option on the star quarterback. Newton’s free agency will make for an interesting precedent. Not only will he be the first franchise quarterback to get an extension who was drafted under the new CBA (as Gregg Rosenthal notes), but he will also be the first star QB signed since Michael Vick who is valued for his running ability as much as his passing acumen. Newton’s rushing prowess obviously adds to his overall value, but it could also make the Panthers worried about his risk of injury.