Cam

Newton

Newton reiterated that he doesn’t believe there are 32 quarterbacks in the NFL better than him, but acknowledged that his path back into the league may be as a backup. He then went on to mention a number of quarterbacks he’d be willing to back up, which included Deshaun Watson, Sam Howell, Malik Willis, Lamar Jackson, and several others. He also said he’d be fine with backing up rookies C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, and Anthony Richardson. In the video posted to Newton’s Twitter account, it’s clear the veteran quarterback is hoping to squash the narrative that he’s unwilling to serve as a backup. Still, he needs to find a suitor that’s willing to give him a chance, which might not come until after the NFL Draft, if at all.

Newton last threw an NFL pass in 2021 in his return to the Panthers. The 11-year veteran, three-time Pro Bowler, and 2015 MVP appears intent on continuing his robust NFL career, likely leveraging the numerous starting quarterback positions available around the league in a bid to return to the game. Newton has not had any ties to NFL franchises over the previous year.

Newton made a brief return to Carolina last season -- a move that likely closed the curtains on his tenure with the Panthers and perhaps his NFL career. Despite reports from Newton himself that teams are interested in signing him, little has materialized that would lead us to believe he’ll be on an NFL roster come Week 1. He struggled as a passer in his return to Carolina, throwing for just 684 yards on 126 passes while tossing four touchdowns to five picks. He showed some giddy up as a runner, rushing for 47-230-5, but there’s little doubt that the 33-year old’s best days are behind him. The Browns have begun working out other options in response to a potential suspension of Deshaun Watson. Veterans A.J. McCarron and Josh Rosen were both worked out by the team ahead of training camp.

“I think we’re still having thoughts,” were Fitterer’s opening words. “We have to see how this works out here throughout the spring. ... We’re texting a little bit. The lines of communication are open. ... We are going to have a discussion at some point but we’re just not quite there yet, but we’ll see how it goes. The more competition we have at that position the better.” Newton would be, at best, the No. 3 behind Sam Darnold and Matt Corral, but considering the uncertain state of that duo, Carolina could choose to carry three quarterbacks in 2022. Ineffective though he was last season, Newton remains a better option than P.J. Walker.

“I have teams that are interested in signing me,” Newton told Schefter. “I am waiting on the best fit as it pertains to winning a championship and getting a fair chance to play.” Among the NFL’s worst passers in his briefly-glorious return to Carolina last year, Newton would fit best as a short yardage and goal line rushing option for a contending team. He said after the 2021 season that he would not play for a bad team in 2022, presumably eliminating the Panthers from his equation.

“It’s gotta be a good fit for him. It’s gotta be a good fit for us,” Fitterer said in a Friday press conference. “The door’s still open for us. We’ll see where it goes.” Thrust into one of the NFL’s worst offenses in 2021, Newton was predictably terrible, posting the league’s lowest completion rate over expected (CPOE) and the second lowest expected points added (EPA) per play. Only Mike Glennon was worse than Newton in 2021. Newton said in January that we won’t play for a bad team in 2022, which would seem to eliminate the horrid Panthers from his options. At this point in his storied career, Newton, 32, is little more than a short-yardage and goal line gadget option for a contending team.

“I’m not coming back for no 5-12,” Newton said Monday, adding that he believes he can still play at “a high level.” Newton’s 2021 return to the Panthers -- momentarily glorious but ultimately a massive letdown -- ended with the team’s Week 18 loss to Tampa. Sam Darnold, against all odds, took back the starting job from Newton after weeks of cringe-worthy play behind a porous offensive line. Clearly lacking any semblance of his former arm strength, Newton could compete for a starting job on a bad team in 2022. It’s more likely he’ll sign with a Super Bowl contender and perhaps take on a short yardage and goal line role, like Taysom Hill during Drew Brees’ final years in New Orleans. Newton will be 33 in May.

Cam Newton “will be ready,” but the Panthers are going back to Darnold after Newton proved he has nothing left in the tank as a passer. Darnold isn’t good, but he’s much better in terms of throwing the football. This offense is totally broken and will be completely overhauled under center in the offseason.

Newton got the start but was subbed out for Sam Darnold after a couple of drives. He rotated with Darnold for the remainder of the game. Newton was only able to complete short passes, looking utterly unable to hit players beyond the stick. His dismal mark of 4.7 yards per attempt backs this up. He added five rushes for 42 yards on the ground but wasn’t able to lead a scoring drive despite his juice as a runner. Darnold will likely start over Newton in Week 17.

Cam Newton is starting but Rapoport noted in his tweet that Darnold will “likely play a lot.” It’s a very 2021 situation for the Panthers as neither quarterback gives the team any upside but the committee ruins both for fantasy purposes. No sane fantasy manager should be eying a part-time quarterback this week or any other. Newton will likely take the field for short-yardage work with Darnold getting most of the passes. It’s hard to have faith in D.J. Moore as a WR2 because of this mess but his usage remains elite.