GOBankingRates

Cam Newton and The 32 Biggest Bargains In The NFL

Joel Anderson
9 min read
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock (10965600a)New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton scrambles against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, MassPatriots Football, Foxborough, United States - 18 Oct 2020.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steven Senne/AP/Shutterstock (10965600a)New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton scrambles against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game, in Foxborough, MassPatriots Football, Foxborough, United States - 18 Oct 2020.

Cam Newton?s arrival in New England was bizarre even by the standards of sports in 2020. It was odd enough that the 2011 No. 1 draft pick and 2015 League MVP was still on the free-agency market at all in July, considering the Panthers released him in March. Then the real shock came when Newton signed with the recently Tom-Bradyless Patriots, which was followed by even more head-scratching when the details of his contract were revealed.

Belichick and Co.?s acquisition of Cam Newton stands out as the year?s biggest NFL bargain. Newton signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with a base salary of just $1.05 million, the minimum for a veteran with his number of years in the league. He?s guaranteed only $550,000, but when all possible incentives are included, he could earn as much as $7.5 million. To earn that he?d have to play a lot and win deep into the postseason, which seems unlikely with the Patriots at 2-4 for the year and Newton?s position as starting quarterback tenuous. For context, Newton collected $19 million from the Panthers in 2019 alone, which makes him one of the most underpaid players in the NFL ? and he?s hardly the only one.

That much should be clear in this new GOBankingRates study of some of the league?s most underpaid players. Each of these players earns less than the average cap hit ? the portion of the salary that counts against the league?s salary cap ? and either led the team in a statistical category last season or were voted to the Pro Bowl.

So, here?s a closer look at which player on your favorite team is due for a big raise once their current contract is up.

Last updated: Oct. 30, 2020

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799h)Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (32) reacts to a big defensive play during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sean Brown/CSM/Shutterstock (10511799h)Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (32) reacts to a big defensive play during a game between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WANFL Cardinals vs Seahawks, Seattle, USA - 22 Dec 2019.

Arizona Cardinals

Underpaid player: Budda Baker

  • Position: Safety

  • Age: 24

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $1,707,501

  • Guaranteed: $3,882,732

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,396,364

  • Signing bonus: $776,820

  • Cap hit: $2,173,184

Related: Who?s Richer: These Sports Stars or Their Significant Others?

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP/Shutterstock (10513278gc)Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) watches a kick against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, in Atlanta.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP/Shutterstock (10513278gc)Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) watches a kick against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, in Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons

Underpaid player: Kaleb McGary

  • Position: Offensive tackle

  • Age: 25

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $2,566,436

  • Guaranteed: $8,700,437

  • Expires: 2024

  • Base salary: $961,625

  • Signing bonus: $1,371,498

  • Cap hit: $2,333,123

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10541735i)LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phelan M Ebenhack/AP/Shutterstock (10541735i)LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

Baltimore Ravens

Underpaid player: Mark Andrews

  • Position: Tight end

  • Age: 23

  • Contract terms: 4 years

  • Average salary: $863,290

  • Guaranteed: $836,660

  • Expires: 2022

  • Base salary: $750,000

  • Signing bonus: $209,165

  • Cap hit: $959,165

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP/Shutterstock (10484813b)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts (18) warms up before playing against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game, in Orchard Park, N.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Adrian Kraus/AP/Shutterstock (10484813b)Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts (18) warms up before playing against the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game, in Orchard Park, N.

Buffalo Bills

Underpaid player: Andre Roberts

  • Position: Wide receiver

  • Age: 32

  • Contract terms: 2 years

  • Average salary: $2,300,000

  • Guaranteed: $3,000,000

  • Expires: 2021

  • Base salary: $1,300,000

  • Signing bonus: $500,000

  • Cap hit: $2,000,000

and

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