By Jordan Long
Quarterback Cam Newton is a free agent. There is interest in him but nobody has signed him to a contract. Now there is the possibility of him returning to the Carolina Panthers. Carolina currently has just one quarterback on the roster, Sam Darnold.
Newton was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers as the 1st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Newton spent 2011 to 2019 with the Panthers. Carolina went to the playoffs 4 times with him as their starting quarterback. They even advanced to Super Bowl 50, but they were beaten by the Denver Broncos 24-10.
Carolina let him go after the 2019 season. They were trying to find a trade partner to at least get something back for Newton which were draft picks. On March 24th , 2020, after failing to deal him to another franchise, Newton was released.
It was the first time in Newton’s career he was a free agent. It took some time, but the New England Patriots agreed to a one-year contract. New England made him their starter. It didn’t work out. Newton went 7-8 for New England passing for 2,657 yards, 8 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. New England, though, decided to sign him for another year expecting his play would improve since it would be his second season in the Patriots’ system . Unfortunately, he was released on August 31, 2021. New England opted to go with rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
Newton was a free agent once again. On November 11th, 2021, Carolina brought him back. He even started 5 games for the Panthers in the 2021 season but they dropped all of those games. Newton passed for 684 yards, 4 touchdowns but was intercepted 5 times.
Once 2022 free agency opened up, Newton hasn’t agreed to a contract. Carolina is interested in bringing him back. According to ESPN, General Manager Scott Fitterer said, “It’s not just us saying, ‘Hey, Cam, come on back. He’s got to want to come back. He’s got to like the role, the situation. It’s really just a fit for both of us. The door is open. I’d love to have someone with his leadership, his toughness. He brought so much to his team last year and stabilized us during a really hard time. He’s a really special person.”
The Panthers make a lot of sense as a landing spot for Newton. He has spent 10 seasons with the team. He knows the organization. Besides his familiarity, the Panthers need another quarterback on the roster. As it stands now, Sam Darnold is their only quarterback. The Panthers could draft one. They own the 6th overall pick in the first-round. If they take a chance on Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett, who are projected as the top quarterbacks in this years’ NFL Draft, both will have to learn to read NFL defenses. They wouldn’t be NFL ready. Newton has the experience to play in the NFL and be the backup or possibly earn the starting position for the Panthers.
Newton will take his time to decide what NFL team is the best for him. He might be a backup quarterback, but he wants a chance to earn the starting job. Hopefully an answer comes soon.
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