ESPN caught the NFL media unawares with a long list of layoffs enforced on Tuesday, July 21, as the organization aims to restructure the NFL Network, a media property it acquired back in January.
Part of the layoffs ensnared former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who was, by some accounts, a polarizing figure among NFL Media.
NFL Insider Shares His Take on ESPN Firing Cam Newton
These ESPN layoffs were the first round of cuts since the organization purchased the NFL Network. The layoffs were headlined by Ryan Clark and Cam Newton, while longtime NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero was also reportedly let go. Former All-Pro linebacker Bart Scott is also expected to depart ESPN.
As the news reached social media, insider John Frascella had a few things to say about Newton’s exit.
“Cam Newton also gets the axe from ESPN. Network is going savage today. Cam was a polarizing figure, but also very popular to some. Highly opinionated Bart Scott also now gone.”
Cam Newton also gets the ax from ESPN
Network is going savage today
Cam was a polarizing figure, but also very popular to some
Highly-opinionated Bart Scott… also now gone. https://t.co/frpCBcHt3z
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) July 21, 2026
Possibly Newton’s most popular take was the whole game manager-game changer bit. Classifying quarterbacks into these two groups, Newton split opinion across the board.
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He classified Dak Prescott as a game manager, whereas Patrick Mahomes served as the archetype of a game changer. Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson all belonged to the latter group, whereas Brock Purdy and Drake Maye were tagged as “game managers.”
However, when his take dropped and soon went viral, Newton made it clear he didn’t mean it as a back-handed compliment, instead underlining that “game-managing quarterbacks” simply worked to ensure their team didn’t lose the game, whereas game-changing QBs “are required to win the game every day, on their own.”
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Newton was also staunchly critical of a number of wide receivers, primarily Keon Coleman, who failed to live up to the Carolina Panthers legend’s standards.
In the middle of the 2025-26 season, Newton directed a sharp rant at Coleman, criticizing his approach to the game after he was benched.
“We ain’t expecting you to be in the corner sulking and crying, but to be doing that before the game? I’m cool with living in the moment and all, but the optics is you’re doing this in street clothes when you should be doing it with shoulder pads, chin strap, helmet, hip pad, butt pad, knee pad, cleats and ankle tape.”
In any case, Newton still has his “4th & 1 With Cam Newton” podcast on YouTube, so expect to see a lot of the former MVP when the new NFL season kicks off.
