Cam Newton came back to the Carolina Panthers for one reason.
Exclaiming that he’s been “floating” since the deal to return to his former team came together, Newton said that he was looking to join a contender with pieces around him to compete. While the Panthers are in last place in the NFC South at 4-5, they are in plausible playoff contention if he can facilitate a quick turnaround.
“It was a no-brainer,” Newton said. “Obviously it’s the added the dimension with the familiarity here. Everybody wants to make it about Cam back. You know where I’m here. This ain’t for no ploy. This ain’t for no ticket sales. This ain’t for no Cinderella story. It’s to win football games.”
Newton said he saw he had a missed call from Panthers coach Matt Rhule, and likened it to a sign from God.
Earlier Friday, Rhule told reporters that it was “not very likely” Newton would start Sunday’s against the Arizona Cardinals. That would place Newton’s probable return in Week 11 vs. the Washington Football Team and Ron Rivera, his former coach in Carolina.
Newton previously won the MVP for the Panthers in 2015. The team reached the Super Bowl that season, losing 24-10 to the Denver Broncos.
However, his nine-season tenure with the team that drafted him first-overall in the 2011 NFL Draft ended with a whimper. He played two games in the 2019 season after suffering a lisfranc fracture, and was released in the following offseason.
The Patriots signed Newton in 2020, and got off to a promising 2-1 start. However, Newton tested positive for COVID-19, and the season did not really get back on track after his return. Overall, the Patriots had a record of 7-8 in the games he started last season, and he threw more interceptions — 10 — than his eight touchdown passes.
Attracting little tangible interest from the rest of the league, Newton re-signed with the Patriots this past offseason, but was released before the season started when Bill Belichick opted to go with Mac Jones at starting quarterback.