|
The Patriots named Newton as the starting
quarterback in a team meeting Thursday, according to multiple
reports.
Newton and the Patriots open the season at home against the
Miami Dolphins on Sept. 13.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Newton will be the first
quarterback to start for the Patriots not drafted by them since
1993. His first start will snap a streak of 423 consecutive
starts made by a homegrown QB, nearly double the 227 straight
starts made by Dallas Cowboys-drafted quarterbacks.
Newton spent the past nine seasons with Carolina, earning three
Pro Bowl selections and the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player award
before being released by the Panthers in March following an
injury-plagued 2019 season.
Newton, 31, signed a one-year, $1.75 million deal with New
England in July and outshined 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett
Stidham and 34-year-old veteran Brian Hoyer during training
camp.
Newton replaces Brady, who won a record six Super Bowl rings and
three MVP awards during his remarkable 20-year run with the
Patriots before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free
agency in March.
A Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn and the No. 1 overall pick in
the 2011 draft, Newton posted a 68-55-1 record as a starter for
the Panthers while setting franchise records for passing yards
(29,041), touchdown passes (182) and touchdown runs (58).
--Field Level Media
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
|
