Cam Newton
FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold rolls out to pass against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass. The Jets will get back on the rookie quarterback roller coaster three years after trading up to take Darnold with the third pick. With New York holding the second selection in a quarterback-heavy draft, general manager Joe Douglas dealt Darnold to Carolina and now has his eyes on another potential franchise QB. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
NFL teams drafting, changing QBs at dizzying pace

By Josh Dubow Apr. 16, 2021 12:38 PM EDT

FILE - New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, left, talks to head coach Bill Belichick as their team warms up before an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, file photo. Belichick never was one to spent wildly in free agency. But after watching Tom Brady celebrate another Super Bowl in another city, Belichick and his boss, Robert Kraft, had seen enough. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Kraft: Spending spree response to 7-9 record, not Brady win

By Jimmy Golen Mar. 31, 2021 06:06 PM EDT

FILE - Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) makes a touchdown catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the first half an NFL divisional playoff football game in Baltimore, in this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to sign free agent tight end Jonnu Smith in their biggest move to date to fill the void created by the departure of Rob Gronkowski. Smith, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 draft, agreed Monday, March 15, 2021, to a four-year, $50 million deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)
New Pats TE Jonnu Smith eyeing 'fresh start on the journey'

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 23, 2021 02:58 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team in Glendale, Ariz., in this Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Energy already high among new additions to Patriots' roster

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 22, 2021 05:57 PM EDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) leaps above Dallas Cowboys' Donovan Wilson, left, and Jourdan Lewis (26) to catch a Hail Mary pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a new three-year, $22.5 million contract with free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne. His agent, Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports, says the new deal is for three years and could be worth as much as $22.5 million. New contracts can't officially be signed until the new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Column: Patriots reboot, but enough to win without Brady?

By Tim Dahlberg Mar. 17, 2021 05:15 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller takes up his position during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wisc., in this Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, file photo. The Denver Broncos have exercised star linebacker Von Miller's 2021 option. The move engages the final season of the six-year, $114.5 million contract Miller signed in 2016 in the aftermath of his Super Bowl 50 MVP performance. It also guarantees him $7 million of his $17.5 million base salary. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)
Spend, spend, spend on 2nd day of "legal tampering" in NFL

By Barry Wilner Mar. 16, 2021 02:40 PM EDT

FILE - Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) makes a touchdown catch against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the first half an NFL divisional playoff football game in Baltimore, in this Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, file photo. The Patriots have agreed to sign free agent tight end Jonnu Smith in their biggest move to date to fill the void created by the departure of Rob Gronkowski. Smith, who was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 draft, agreed Monday, March 15, 2021, to a four-year, $50 million deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, FIle)
Pats add Jonnu Smith in 1st big upgrade since Gronk's exit

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 15, 2021 02:36 PM EDT

Adding to offense tops Pats' priorities entering free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 04:30 PM EST
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-9) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB James White, C David Andrews, LG Joe Thuney, RB Rex Burkhead, QB Brian Hoyer, WR...

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots are completing an agreement to re-sign free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
Titans' pass rush busts cautionary tale for NFL free agency

By Teresa M. Walker Mar. 12, 2021 02:57 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 3, 2021, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Foxborough, Mass. The New England Patriots are completing an agreement to re-sign free-agent quarterback Cam Newton, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press, Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
AP source: Patriots completing 1-year deal to re-sign Newton

By Kyle Hightower Mar. 12, 2021 11:05 AM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, because they weren’t authorized to discuss the request publicly. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2021 12:10 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Feb. 04, 2021 01:14 PM EST
Feb. 6 1943 — Montreal’s Ray Getliffe scores five goals to lead the Canadiens to an 8-3 triumph over the Boston Bruins. ...

FILE - New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to throw the ball against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., in this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo. Washington’s biggest offseason need is to figure out its quarterback situation. Trade for DeShaun Watson? Sign Cam Newton? Roll with Alex Smith and Kyle Allen? Coach Ron Rivera says “nothing is off the table.” (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Watson? Newton? Smith? Allen? Washington explores QB options

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 03, 2021 07:20 PM EST

In this still image from video provided by the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) speaks during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (NFL via AP)
Out of Miller's shadow, Barrett aims to follow his footsteps

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 02, 2021 12:45 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reacts after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Super matchup between QBs Mahomes, Brady for NFL title

By Josh Dubow Jan. 27, 2021 02:33 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 23, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Jan. 24 1939 — Eddie Collins, Wee Willie Keeler and George Sisler are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1956 — Bob...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2021 12:52 PM EST
Jan. 23 1944 — The Detroit Red Wings defeat the New York Rangers 15-0 at Olympia Stadium to set an NHL record for consecutive goals. The...

Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor (28) is tackled during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Bills' bend-but-don't-break defense to be tested by Ravens

By John Wawrow Jan. 11, 2021 04:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy greets a player during the second half of the team's AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Kansas City, Mo. One year ago, Bieniemy and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh missed out on the coaching carousel despite being coordinators of the two Super Bowl teams. The two figure to be near the top of many of the lists of possible head coaching candidates again this offseason when the NFL is hoping some new rules lead to more opportunities for minority coaches. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
For non-playoff teams, important NFL offseason is underway

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 06, 2021 02:42 AM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, instructs defensive lineman Chase Winovich, center, as inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, second from left, instructs defensive end John Simon, left, on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Patriots look toward future after regressing post-Brady exit

By Kyle Hightower Jan. 04, 2021 04:30 PM EST