How NFL's Rookie Wage Scale Will Affect Panthers Rookie Cam Newton

When the Collective Bargaining Agreement was finalized, a rookie wage scale was set in stone. Gone are the days of top picks receiving salaries near the top of the league.

This may come as a disappointment to Panthers rookie Cam Newton, who would have received more than twice as much money under the old system, but I'm sure he has long known that this scale has been in the works throughout the negotiations.

ESPN's Pat Yasinskas reports that Newton should be offered a four-year deal worth $22 million with a fifth year option which would add around $15 million. But before you shudder, remember, this is roughly half of what he would have received without a pay scale.

This also may indirectly end the days of rookie holdouts. There is little reason for a rookie to hold out when there are such tight limitations on the monetary figures these players will be looking at. Panthers fans should expect Newton to be at practice on Friday as long as the current schedule holds true.

The rookie wage scale should have a very positive effect on the NFL. Teams will now have more funds available to retain their own unrestricted free agents and rookies will have more motivation to earn a big contract after their original contract expires.

While there have been multiple reports that Jimmy Clausen will be the day one starter, Cam Newton could easily win the starting job. The preseason will not be abbreviated so we can expect Newton to get a fair chance to win over the fans and coaches with the elite talent that made him the NFL's top pick.