Panthers' Shaq Thompson Says Cam Newton 'An MVP Quarterback,' 'Still Has It'

Cam Newton might not be guaranteed the starting job with the New England Patriots, yet his former teammate doesn't seem to think that will matter too much.

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson said he was happy the 2015 MVP was finally signed and that Newton "still has it."

"Man, I was happy for Cam," Thompson told NFL Network's Colleen Wolfe. "I hated that it took so long for him to get signed. He's an MVP quarterback. Cam still has it. And I'm happy for him, I'm glad the Patriots invested in him and I can't wait to see Cam Newton come out there and play."

The Panthers released Newton in late March, but it took until last Sunday for him to join a new team.

New England finally decided to give him a contract to add some depth at the position following Tom Brady's free-agent departure for Tampa Bay this offseason. The deal is one that favors the Patriots in just about every way. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Newton's contract is for the league minimum, though he can earn up to $7.5 million through incentives.

Additionally, the one-year deal means no long-term commitment to the quarterback, and the Patriots could receive a 2022 compensatory third-round pick if he leaves as a free agent after the season.

According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the team did not promise Newton he would start before he agreed to the deal.

The whole experiment will allow Newton to prove he can regain his form after two down years and give New England more time to groom Jarrett Stidham if the 2019 draft pick doesn't win the starting job coming out of camp.

For Newton, it's a "prove it" season, and if Thompson is right about his former QB still having it, he will do just that.

There just aren't many executives who expect him to.

ESPN's Dianna Russini texted with an unnamed AFC East head coach who predicted the Pats will keep three quarterbacks on the roster and that Newton would not start in Week 1.

Of course, that could be up to Newton now. Finally with a new team, he can focus on competing to become QB1 and look to make sure there isn't a drop-off at the position following Brady's decision to join the Buccaneers.