The Carolina Panthers are reportedly close to signing Cam Newton to a long-term contract extension.
Charlotte sports radio station ESPN 730 reports that the deal would keep Newton with the Panthers through the 2020 season. The two sides had little progress with contract talks last week, but a potential deal apparently came together quickly.
According to The Charlotte Observer, the deal is expected to average upwards of $20 million per season and could be announced as early as Monday.
The Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on Newton’s rookie deal last year, which will pay him close to $15 million this season. There was some belief that he would wait until Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck signed contract extensions with their teams, as they could end up earning somewhere close to $25 million per year.
Instead, it appears Newton is willing to set the market following an injury-marred season in which he threw for 3,127 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If you remember, he suffered a fractured back in this brutal car wreck during the 2014 season. Newton also battled issues with his ankle last year after having it surgically repaired before the season.
