Believe it or not, a potential Cam Newton Patriots deal may be on the horizon, despite the team's underwhelming performance last season. As the ultra-competitive Bill Belichick continues to shape the roster, rumors have begun to swirl about a possible reunion between the quarterback and New England.

It's no secret that the Patriots missed out on the playoffs in their first post-Tom Brady era, while Brady himself won his seventh Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Pats struggled through a 7-9 season, their first losing campaign since 2000. Cam Newton's 2020 performance didn't exactly silence doubters, but he does have an ace up his sleeve.

After garnering virtually no interest in the free agent market last year, Newton signed with the Patriots in late June on a relatively modest deal. His base salary is just $1.5 million, and his cap hit for 2021 is a mere $5 million - ranking him 30th among all quarterbacks this season. And let's not forget that his incentivized contract can earn him as much as $13.6 million in the upcoming season.

Of course, Newton's stacked resume, featuring a former NFL MVP and Super Bowl starting quarterback, has helped to ease concerns about last year's eight-touchdown, 10-interception campaign. His familiarity with the Patriots' system and commitment to the 'Patriot Way' make him a safe option for Belichick.

But will the team ultimately opt for another quarterback? Some speculate that Belichick may try to reacquire his old quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, who was originally supposed to take over for Brady. It's worth noting that Belichick was reportedly displeased when owner Robert Kraft traded Garoppolo to the 49ers in 2016.

For now, a Cam Newton Patriots deal remains a possibility - whether it materializes in the next few weeks or heading into the season. One thing is certain: Belichick will continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes to bolster his roster and make the most of his options.

Cam newton patriots deal