Breakdown of Cam's contract

[CatMan72]

Yas posted a breakdown of Cam's contract in his NFCS blog:

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, the first overall pick in the draft, will count for $4,004,363 in the rookie pool this year. That’s 55.8 percent of Carolina’s rookie pool. The total value of Newton’s contract for four years – there is an option for a fifth – is $22,025,498 and his average per year is $5,506,375. Newton’s signing bonus was $14,518,544. His 2011 base salary is $375,000. In 2012, it climbs to $1,376,159. In 2013, it’s $2,377,318 and in 2014, it’s $3,378,477.

Link: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/23054/breaking-down-the-rookie-numbers

[jramsey4]

Wow a #1 overall pick (and a QB at that) for under a half a million year 1. Nice!!

[panthers55]

Wow a #1 overall pick (and a QB at that) for under a half a million year 1. Nice!!

While it is prorated over the life of the contract as far as cap hit is concerned, his 14 million dollar signing bonus is included in his salary for 2011. So really we are paying him right at 15 million this year in real dollars. Starting next year from a salary point of view (not cap) he is pretty darn cheap.

[Lumps]

those numbers are the ONLY reason JR, the businessman, was willing to take Cam first.

[The_Cannon]

those numbers are the ONLY reason JR, the businessman, was willing to take Cam first.

Or it could be the fact that he's you know...a good football player.

[Highlandfire]

While it is prorated over the life of the contract as far as cap hit is concerned, his 14 million dollar signing bonus is included in his salary for 2011. So really we are paying him right at 15 million this year in real dollars. Starting next year from a salary point of view (not cap) he is pretty darn cheap.

It's an outstanding contract. I wish they had done this years ago, let the kids EARN the money. And hey, lets say at the end of year 3 Cam has had us in the playoffs 2 or even 3x and is really progressing, tear this one up and give him a better one, he will have earned it.

[Lumps]

Or it could be the fact that he's you know...a good college football player.

NFL? Maybe, no way to know. But IMO he has too much risk to spend 80 million dollars on and I have even more of a hard time believing JR would take those risks. A cap was something everyone collectively agreed on. Jr is a businessman if you think 20 vs 80 million dollars did not effect his decision making you're crazy.

[panthers55]

It's an outstanding contract. I wish they had done this years ago, let the kids EARN the money. And hey, lets say at the end of year 3 Cam has had us in the playoffs 2 or even 3x and is really progressing, tear this one up and give him a better one, he will have earned it.

I totally agree. Not only are the rookies still making a ton of money, but they have plenty of motivation to work and improve so they can get that big next contract in 4 or 5 years. Plus it allows teams to see what they are actually paying for before they have to shell out 70 or 80 million.

[Highlandfire]

I totally agree. Not only are the rookies still making a ton of money, but they have plenty of motivation to work and improve so they can get that big next contract in 4 or 5 years. Plus it allows teams to see what they are actually paying for before they have to shell out 70 or 80 million.

Exactly, I think its perfect. I feel the NFLPA felt the same way and it is the best way to go for everyone as you have it broken down.

[lightsout]

NFL? Maybe, no way to know. But IMO he has too much risk to spend 80 million dollars on and I have even more of a hard time believing JR would take those risks. A cap was something everyone collectively agreed on. Jr is a businessman if you think 20 vs 80 million dollars did not effect his decision making you're crazy.

Well, the same can be said for every player ever to be drafted. If you can play, you can play. Pure and simple. I think Cam succeeded based on talent and work ethic. I think guys like Vince Young and Reggie Bush were simply mismatched at the college level, allowing their success. Cam is a different breed of player. Pure and simple. I think he can succeed. Time will tell though.