Is Cam Newton Too Damaged to Take a Chance?
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is a free agent! Who will sign him? Is Cam Newton too damaged physically and mentally for anyone of consequence to touch him?
The Panthers decided to move on from Newton after nine seasons. He is clearly the best player in franchise history and they gave him permission to seek a trade on March 17th. After a week Newton couldn’t find a new team and the Panthers decided to release him.
Former Vikings and Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was signed to replace Newton after agreeing to a three-year 63 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.
The Panthers were not able to find a suitor for Newton because of his health. The Panthers lost 20-14 against the Buccaneers on September 12th and in that game Newton re-aggravated the foot injury he first suffered during an August 22nd preseason contest against the Patriots. That night Newton left near the end of the first quarter and was seen limping to the locker room.
Injuries Mounting up for Cam Newton
Newton has dealt with many injuries over the last few years. He underwent an “arthroscopic procedure” on his right shoulder in January after having another one on a torn rotator cuff in the same shoulder in March, 2017.
The signal-caller threw for over 3,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons in the NFL (all with the Panthers). He missed the final two games of the 2018 season and still threw for 3,395 yards (completing 67.9 percent of his passes) with 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
The 30-year-old struggled last season, completing just 50 of 89 passes for 572 yards and one interception and the Panthers opened the season 0-2 after home losses against the Rams and Buccaneers.
Newton hasn’t thrown a touchdown in his last four games. Newton’s last touchdown pass was in a 24-17 road loss against the Buccaneers on December 2nd, 2018. The Panthers lost the last eight games with Newton as their starting quarterback dating back to the 2018 season.
I do think that teams should not be giving up on Cam Newton. Newton still has potential, he won an MVP award after leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance in 2015 and he is one of the most electrifying players in the league.
Newton may not be the runner he was when he joined the league in 2011 but he is still an athletic signal-caller. Also, he will be just 31 years old by the time the new season starts.
Cam Newton’s Team in Week 1 of the 2020 Regular Season
Washington Redskins +200
Denver Broncos +300
New England Patriots +300
Miami Dolphins +400
Los Angeles Chargers +500
Jacksonville Jaguars +800
Las Vegas Raiders +1600
Pittsburgh Steelers +2800
Cincinnati Bengals +4000
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