There's absolutely no getting away from that. Thats not much of a fitting ending, and thats only if he gets to play at all. And clearly, the opportunity is there for this to make a significant impact. And with the way their defense is currently playing, raising the level on offense makes them a more difficult matchup in November and December. Support my work with a digital subscription, Panthers founder, former owner Jerry Richardson leaves behind a complicated legacy, A nervous Kevin Durant debuts for Phoenix in Charlotte. The Panthers head coach knows that is complicated since they're picking ninth, but made it clear his preference would be to find a rookie quarterback and build. Speculation about teams not being keen on his big personality making things difficult for their starting option was asinine. Panthers fans cannot wait to see their favorite QB play this season. Cam always left the impression that he never read the playbook. What followed after indicated Newton is no longer the same guy that used to fly over the trenches at the goal line, using his power and size to run over defenses en route to touchdowns, and slinging the ball 60-yards downfield on a rope. That has been life for the Panthers, really, for the past four years. Asked which quarterbacks he emulates, he pointed to the Ravens' 2019 unanimous MVP and former Panthers MVP Cam Newton. Rivera and his staff, tight end Greg Olsen, guard Trai Turner, safety Eric Reid and even longtime special teams ace Colin Jones can help explainwhy the Panthers are lettingNewton walk. The Panthers head coach knows that is complicated since they're picking ninth, but made it clear his preference would be to find a rookie quarterback and build. Tepper gave Rhule, who had no NFL head-coaching experience, a seven-year contract worth up to $70 million. It's also what likely hinders teams from adding him as a backup. "We, the whole Charlotte community, we deserve better," he said of the team's recent struggles. But it has been mostly potholes and roadblocks since. With interim head coach Steve Wilks leading the way for a lowly organization, the current situation under center is not a favorable one, especially with the struggles of the Panthers passing game and the inability to convert third downs at a consistent rate. The same goes for . Cam Newton (1) looks for a fan to give the ball away to after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC. Read what head coach Frank Reich said to the media during his press conference at the Combine on Wednesday. At the time, Newton made it clear that he wanted to keep playing, but. Newton was entering the final season of the five-year contract extension he signed in the summer of 2015, months before he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. A good bet, though, given how messy his breakup with the Panthers became: Don't be surprised ifCarolina's list of 2020 opponents is a factor in Newton's next move. Newton then played one season with the New. Newton isn't beyond the next two games, and since they're both on the road, it's easier to make the switch back to Darnold now. As for the busy quarterback market during NFL free agency, itonly compoundedissues forthe Panthers as they searched for a trade partner. Something he was reportedly willing to accept on the right franchise. Cam Newton, a former NFL MVP and first overall pick, may not be the quality starter he was a few years ago. The Carolina Panthers didn't wait long to put Cam Newton on the active roster. Trading a player who's technicallyinjured is difficult enough in a typical year. Newton hasn't played since the preseason, but if his performance as a member of the Patriots is any indication, he's easily the best quarterback on the team. That scenario eventually revealed itself to beimpossible. My job is to try to win.". Florio's belief is not without validity. And it does feel unfair sometimes. Cam Newton expresses frustration after Sunday's game against Tampa Bay He reflected on his 2015 season, when he was the best player in football and led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a. Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich also touched on other needs the team has, and what the priorities are for the coming weeks during their interviews at the combine. See video, posts and updates straight from Indianapolis as Panthers leaders speak to the media. What is next for the Panthers under Wilks and general manager Scott Fitterer? However, there's a reason a player who once dragged a team to 15-1 and a Super Bowl appearance with Ted Ginn and Devin Funchess as his top targets can't get a job: his health. Tepper in January hired Matt Rhule to replace Rivera as Panthers coach, and in doing so, the team owner took a significant leap of faith. Carolina Panthers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC Conference Championship. Cam Newton does not have to seek a trade any longer. Newton started in five games but could not lead his side to a single victory. In the context of the organizational changes noted above, the spring of 2020 quickly becamean ideal time to cut ties. Observer experts pick the score, Want to watch the Carolina Panthers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on TV? The comparisons always have chased Anthony Richardson around the football field. Of all the knocks surrounding Newton fair or otherwise throughout his career, one thing that cannot be disputed is leadership and the esteem in which the quarterback is held among his peers. Goodbye again, Cam. He was 86 . Walking into an offense with talented targets such as Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore and Robby Anderson could allow for a quick transition, and the familiarity with the first two can only help. Email Scott at sfowler@charlotteobserver.com or call him at 704-358-5140, Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Charlotte area sports - only $1 a month. They understood what Keep Pounding meant, Newton said. Rookie Matt Corral is also out for the season with a Lisfranc foot injury. Fans still worship their hero and rightfully so after everything he gave the Panthers on and off the field, but its been a quick path to relative obscurity for the player since Rhule went back on his initial word and released the No. According to Ian Rapoport on Friday, the Auburn Heisman winners injured foot is not getting better, and that playing football is a long way off.. ", By the end of his 17 minutes at the podium, Newton was asked if this felt like a goodbye, and he replied: "Nah, it don't feel like that. The addition ofBridgewater'scontractledto the release of Newton. View photos from Cam Newton's career in Carolina from his rookie year in 2011 through 2019. A less charitable reading says that the Saints dismissed Newton out of hand in favor of starting either Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill. Hes looked much better than I think anybody could have anticipated. Last season when Darnold went down due to injury, the Panthers brought back their former franchise player Newton to help fill in. On Sunday, Cam was benched. "Just trying to make big plays, just like Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson." But circumstances change. An NFL MVP award. But Newton had been dealing with shoulder issues throughout 2018, and the Panthers finally shut him down after a Week 15 performance against the Saints in which he completed 16 of 29 passes for 131 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Your login session has expired. He never made excuses or complained about the inherent unfairness of life in the NFL. The Panthers are 4-5 through nine weeks of play and currently in last place in the NFC South behind the Buccaneers (6-2), Saints (5-3) and Falcons (4-4). Right now, 2023 NFL draft prospect Anthony Richardson is a self-salesman as much as he is a quarterbackeven if that means putting himself above his childhood idol. Darnold took the 60 other plays, which . Chances are low that Newton will return to the league this year, so drafting him into your fantasy team does not sound like a good idea. On the sideline, I had a moment where you look back over the year at guys who taught you, Newton said afterward. Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich also touched on other needs the team has, and what the priorities are for the coming weeks during their interviews at the combine. The founder and former owner of the Panthers passed away on Wednesday night. Newton is Carolina's all-time leader in nearly every quarterback statistical category. Ended with a 85.2 QBR. Newton is not wanted by the Panthers and other NFL teams because he is a locker room cancer. Why is he revered in the locker room? By playing Darnold in the home finale, the Panthers began looking forward, at a player who is under contract for next year. He is revered in the locker room because he is a consummate professional day in and day out, bonds easily with his teammates, and is the unquestioned leader on the field. Cam Newton was seen as raw coming out of Auburn, and he still went No. Coach Ron Rivera told reporters Tuesday that the starting quarterback wouldn't participate in Thursday's game versus the Chicago. Inaugural Keep Pounding High School Classic features Northwestern High School and Providence Day School. Even the Redskins, the team Rivera coaches and a sensible landing place for Newton, reportedly has decided to take a wait-and-see approach. It is best to look for other alternatives for the QB2 position. Newton reportedly signed to a one-year, $10 million contract a deal that simultaneously recognizes Newton's value to the team in the short term while still prioritizing Darnold in 2022 and beyond. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2019. But in the NFL it rarely happens that way. "I don't know what the future holds," Newton said. Panthers Wire Panthers great Cam Newton honors late Jerry Richardson Panthers legend Cam Newton honored the late Jerry Richardson in a touching post on Friday morning. Nicknamed "Super Cam", he is the NFL leader in quarterback rushing touchdowns and second in quarterback rushing yards.Newton had a college football stint at Florida before joining Auburn . CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Panthers will meet with free agent quarterback Derek Carr this week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, according to a person familiar with the . The Buccaneers signed Tom Brady. His shoulder took a huge hit from TJ Watt and it was never the same. Its a shame that his career was slowly cut short by nagging shoulder injuries he suffered in 2016 and 2018. Theres absolutely no getting away from that. In truth, the typical NFL quarterback is a big person. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Dude is more interested in how he looks at post game press conference than on the field. CHARLOTTE, N.C Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers founder and for years one of the NFL's most influential owners until a scandal forced him to sell the team . Follow David Hookstead on Twitter and Instagram, The Daily Caller | 1775 Eye Street NW | Suite 1150-290 | Washington, DC 20006, A post shared by Cam Newton (@cameron1newton), A post shared by Kyle Allen (@kyle_allen). The most pressing question now becomes whether Newton, who hasn't taken a snap since preseason, will be able to suit up against Arizona, let alone start. Those boil down to either Fix Darnold or Get Someone New or, more likely, trying to do both at the same time. A new coach meant a new vision, whichmeant a new staff of assistants and, eventually, a new franchise passer. The Patriots decided that rookie Mac Jones is ready to take over as the starter and that. Newton is not listed on the team's depth chart as of Sunday: P.J. I loved his energy and he was so fun to watch. Cam Newton 's preseason debut will wait at least one more week. Last year, the Panthers brought back quarterback Cam Newton for a second stint. Cam Newton, the franchise's No. In 2020, there was a spot open for the leading quarterback at the Patriots after seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sports columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. SPARTANBURG, S.C. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said he has nothing to hide when it comes to testing for the human growth hormone. Even if Newtons prowess running the football remained a weapon of significant use in Carolina and could potentially help elsewhere. The signing was predicated by the shoulder injury to starter Sam Darnold, who will miss extended time because of an incomplete fracture in his right scapula. "But I'm going to look that lion in the eyeball, and not blink.". The Panthers on Thursday agreed to terms (pending a physical) with veteran quarterback Cam Newton, giving them an opportunity to stabilize their offense at a time when so many other things are going well, and the playoffs are still a realistic possibility with nearly half the season remaining.