Cam Newton is back with the team where he became a superstar. The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday that Newton met with Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule, owner David Tepper, and football ops VP Steven Drummond to discuss a possible return to the franchise. That came to fruition just a matter of hours later when the Panthers signed Newton to a one-year deal that NFL Network reports is worth up to $10 million — not a bad chunk of change for two months of work.
Cam Newton could fill the Carolina Panthers QB void
Newton has been out of the league since the New England Patriots cut him on Sept. 7 after he lost a training camp battle with Mac Jones. But much has changed since then. Newton has since been vaccinated, and the Panthers have lost quarterback Sam Darnold for at least a month with a shoulder injury.
P.J. Walker will start for Carolina Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. This week, the Panthers also added Matt Barkley off the Titans’ practice squad.
What can Newton bring to the field for the Panthers?
Newton, of course, is no longer the talent he was during his peak. His MVP season was six years ago, as was the last of his three Pro Bowl appearances. But the Panthers know this. The more relevant questions are: 1. Would Newton be a good fit? and 2. Is he, at this stage of his career, better than Walker or Barkley?
Newton, still just 32 years old, hasn’t been the same player since suffering shoulder and foot injuries in 2018 and 2019. He was the Patriots’ starter in 2020, but his arm ability was clearly diminished. Newton had 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 starts, and his 177.1 yards per game passing were the lowest of his career. Newton’s QBR hasn’t been over 60 since his MVP season.
Then came the 2021 preseason. Jones out-performed Newton in both practices and games, seizing control of the starting job after Newton was forced to miss critical joint practices because of a COVID-19 testing snafu. In the preseason, Newton completed 14 of 21 passes for 162 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
The wild part of this is that those numbers would be a significant improvement over the quarterback play the Panthers have gotten out of Darnold this season. The former Jets QB has completed just 59.5% of his attempts for 7 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 71.4 rating in nine starts this year.
One last attempt to salvage an impressive career
Newton’s career with Carolina was certainly impressive after being the first overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as he won Offensive Rookie of the Year in the 2011 season.
Newton’s best year came in 2015 when he won the NFL MVP award, leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a trip to Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos. Newton threw 35 touchdowns at a league-leading rate of 7.1%. He added a further 10 touchdowns on the ground in the regular season and 2 more in the playoffs.
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Newton currently holds three NFL records; the most rushing touchdowns by a QB in a career (70), a single season (14), and has the most career rushing attempts by a quarterback (1,071). His final season in Carolina saw him play just two games due to injury.
With the Panthers having eyes on a potential playoff spot, could Newton roll back the years and take them there? It seems unlikely on the surface, but it could be a lot of fun to watch him try.
