Cam Newton wasn't guaranteed a starting job with the New England Patriots when he signed a one-year deal, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
The contract can be worth up to $7.5 million in 2020, although the base salary is for the NFL minimum, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Howe reported the Patriots didn't have substantial interest in signing Newton until he softened his contract demands. The move also reportedly had nothing to do the performance of Jarrett Stidham.
Mike Reiss of ESPN also opined that the signing wasn't necessarily a reflection on Stidham.