The Panthers started the second week of Phase 3 of OTAs much like they spent the first. Receiver Kelvin Benjamin walked into the session without a helmet, still nursing a sore hamstring. And quarterback Cam Newton sprinted onto the practice field under his current contract.

“No news,” head coach Ron Rivera said as he was walking in. “We’re right where it was yesterday.”Multiple league sources on Monday confirmed ESPN 730’s original report that Newton and the Panthers were “close” to a long-term contract. The deal was expected to be completed by midweek, but as of late Tuesday morning, Newton still hadn’t signed on the dotted line. There’s no reason to think any big wrenches have been thrown into the mix; it’s just a matter of wrapping up final details.According to a league source, Newton’s extension will include more than $40 million fully guaranteed “new” money, with an average yearly salary of about $21 million.(UPDATE: June 2, 1:25 p.m.)Sure, this isn’t much of an update, but …Newton signed autographs for fans after practice, declined comment on his contract, and “sped” away at the wheel of a golf cart.