New England Patriots links 3/12/21 - Cam’s ba-ack! Buckle up for wild, roster-building roller coaster

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss reports the Patriots are bringing back QB Cam Newton on a one-year deal, sources confirmed to ESPN.
• Evan Lazar reminds us that the Patriots aren’t done adding at Quarterback after re-signing Cam Newton.
• Andrew Callahan thinks Cam Newton’s return indicates the front office believes his lackluster weapons factored heavily into his struggles last season.
• Matt Dolloff says the Cam Newton deal is filled with incentives, only gets to $14 million if ‘everything goes perfectly.’
• Ryan Hannable analyzes what the Patriots bringing back Cam Newton means for the team at QB. “It makes sense given the options include Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Alex Smith and Mitchell Trubisky.”
• Andy Hart explains why he is still on the “In Belichick we trust” bandwagon.
• Alex Barth wonders if free agency will equal reunion season for the Patriots.
• Andrew Callahan profiles 10 perfect free agency targets for the Pats.
• Karen Guregian thinks the Patriots should re-sign these five in-house free agents.
• Mike Masala (PatriotsWire) Patriots free agency targets: Here are the 5 best options at DT.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Here are the Patriots’ 2021 NFL draft picks.
• Phil Perry suggests what the Pats could realistically expect in a N’Keal Harry trade.
• Danny Jaillet (PatriotsWire) Ty Law fiercely defends Cam Newton for lackluster 2020 performance.
• Logan Mullen sees the Cam Newton re-signing with the Patriots drawing mixed reviews on social media.
• Doug Kyed addresses his Patriots Mailbag: Recent Pats first-round picks face uncertain futures.
• Mike Reiss says Bill Belichick showed his sense of humor for a good cause, allowing special-teamer Brandon King to give him a haircut to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital’s “Saving by Shaving” initiative.
• Robert Alvarez (PatsFans) Watch Brandon King give Bill Belichick a haircut for charity.
• Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Julian Edelman pens thoughtful letter to educate Meyers Leonard after anti-Semitic slur.
• Patriots Talk podcast: Tom E. Curran talks with QB consultant Jordan Palmer on why Jarrett Stidham’s transition from college to the NFL was so difficult, and his potential for the 2021 season. (30 min.)
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Miguel Benzan discuss the financial impact of the trade for Trent Brown, compensatory draft picks, and more. Finally, Miguel builds a logical and frugal Pats roster for 2021 (48 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• Kevin Patra (NFL.com) Patriots re-signing QB Cam Newton to one-year deal.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Conflicting reports emerge on Cam Newton’s 2021 compensation.
• Myles Simmons (ProFootballTalk) Patriots agree to three-year deal with Justin Bethel.
• Albert Breer (SI) GamePlan: How Trey Lance prepared for his Pro Day; Plus, likely top earners in free agency and Dak Prescott’s impact on future deals.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Dolphins interested in signing more ex-Patriots in free agency.
• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) Your 2021 NFL free agency primer: Who are the best players scheduled to hit free agency next week, and where could they wind up?
• Gregg Rosenthal (NFL.com) Free agency guide: Which teams will be spenders? Which players could be traded?
• Cynthia Frelund (NFL.com) 2021 NFL free agency: Analytics-based player-team fits.
• Frank Schwab (Yahoo! Sports) Shaq Barrett leads depleted list of top 20 defensive free agents.
• Chris Cwik (Yahoo! Sports) New Texans coach David Culley: Deshaun Watson is our quarterback ‘right now’.
• Bryan DeArdo (CBS Sports) Every NFL team’s greatest free agent signing: Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Deion Sanders, headline all-time list.
• Mike Sando from The Athletic ranks NFL GMs by their most expensive free agent signings: Bill Belichick No. 1?!​
• Nate Davis (USA Today) NFL mock draft 2021. Pats pick Alabama QB Mac Jones at 15.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady and Cam Newton will have round three in 2021.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Do quarterbacks have an “obligation” to other quarterbacks to maximize earnings?
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Panthers want Cam Newton to retire a Panther when the day comes. /He’ll have a real choice after he wins a Super Bowl with the Pats.
• Curtis Crabtree (ProFootballTalk) Bettor pleads guilty to threatening MLB players, also threatened Patriots.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) NFL revenue drops from $16 billion in 2019 to $12 billion in 2020. /That means player fines going wa-ay up this year.