Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is reportedly about to become the NFL’s new $100-million-dollar-man as sources have confirmed that he and the team are close to finalizing a mega deal.
Charlotte sports talk radio station ESPN 730 announced that two sources confirmed the news on Monday morning after a weekend of talks between the sides continued.
Per the sources, the deal that is close to being done would keep the 26-year-old QB in town through 2020 and is worth upwards of $100 million.
Newton was scheduled to make $14.67 million this season. The new deal, averaging more than $20 million year, will put him in the company of Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan, Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco and New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees.
The 2011 No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn made the Pro Bowl in two of his first three seasons and led the team to back-to-back-playoffs appearances.
Despite a losing record last year, the team still won the dreadful NFC South and went on to beat Arizona in the wild-card round before losing to the Seattle Seahawks.
Newton has battled a few injuries in the past. He had offseason ankle surgery and two transverse process fractures in his back after a car wreck in December. However, he is said to be healthy going into this season.
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