Will Cam Newton play for the Carolina Panthers this week? Answering your questions
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Cam returns to the Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have confirmed they are bringing back their former quarterback, Cam Newton, in a one-year deal.
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The best quarterback in Carolina Panthers history in returning.
Yes, Cam Newton is back.
Newton signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on Thursday, bringing him back to the place where it all began. The Panthers drafted Newton first overall in 2011. He played nine seasons with the Panthers, led them to a Super Bowl and won the NFL’s MVP award in 2015, before he was released in 2020.
The Observer was the first to report the news that the Panthers were meeting with Newton to potentially sign him.
And now 1 1/2 years later, he will likely start again.
Here are some answers to some questions you may have:
How did this come about?
Further testing on Sam Darnold’s right shoulder Tuesday revealed he had an incomplete fracture in his right shoulder blade. His diagnosis was that he’d miss at least four to six weeks.
So the Panthers needed to find another option at quarterback with backup P.J. Walker and Matt Barkley as their only options.
A meeting in general manager Scott Fitterer’s office Tuesday night included assistant general manager Dan Morgan, head coach Matt Rhule, vice president of player personnel Pat Stewart, and assistant to the head coach Los Delgado.
They discussed possible options at quarterback and Newton’s name came up.
So Rhule called Newton on Tuesday night and asked him if he would be willing to rejoin the Panthers. Rhule said Newton emphatically said, “Yes.”
What does Cam Newton’s signing mean for Sam Darnold?
Darnold will soon go on the injured reserve and will miss at least three weeks, and likely four to six weeks.
Why was Cam Newton released in the first place?
Newton was coming off two major injuries, one to his shoulder and the other to his foot. Rhule said at the time the Panthers were unsure of whether he’d be healthy and said releasing him was strictly a football decision.
Newton expressed numerous times times that he desired to remain a Panther. But when the team decided it was going to move on from Newton, his agents requested to take command of searching for a trade partner, which the team agreed to, The Observer previously reported.
Why did Matt Rhule contact Cam Newton?
Rhule reached out to Newton because of Darnold’s injury and the fact that he’d be out for some time. The Panthers are trying to win now, and the Panthers thought Newton had the potential to put them in that position.
Will Cam Newton play Sunday against Arizona?
Never say never, but it’s unlikely. He won’t practice until Friday, which is a walk-through for the Panthers. Saturday’s practice is ramped up, but still Newton would likely need more time to get acclimated. He hasn’t played since the preseason in August.
How much is Cam Newton being paid?
Newton’s deal is worth as much as $10 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed. He has a $1.5 million roster bonus based on his availability the next eight games.
Why did the Patriots release him?
New England rookie Mac Jones beat him out for the starting job in the preseason. The Patriots drafted Jones in the first round and viewed him as their future. After not beating him, there was no reason for the Patriots to keep him.
How are the players feeling about this?
The players are excited. They want to win and many believe in Newton. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore said, “He’s a great teammate, he’s a hard worker. He’s a great person. I think he’s going to bring a lot of energy to this team.”
Wide receiver DJ Moore said he’s grateful that Newton is back.
“Once everybody gets to know (Cam Newton) and understand what he’s about, it’s going to change everybody’s perspective,” Moore said.
Will Cam Newton remain the starter when Darnold returns?
It totally depends on how Newton plays. If Newton plays well and remains healthy, he will likely remain the starter. But if he were to struggle and Darnold were to return, they would likely compete for the starting spot.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 6:19 PM.
