Cam Newton in August 2017.Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
There’s no place like home.
Cam Newton, the veteran NFL quarterback who previously played quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, has returned to the team after a brief stint with the New England Patriots.
On Thursday, the Panthers announced they agreed to re-sign the 32-year-old quarterback pending the results of a physical. The team originally drafted Newton with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
“Together again,” a post on the team’s Twitter account said of a picture of Newton with Panthers owner David Tepper.
Newton spent nine years with the Panthers before he was released in early 2020 after he requested a trade.
“Brought him [home],” the team said in a follow-uptweeton Thursday.
During his time in Charlotte, Newton threw for 29,041 yards and 182 touchdowns, and ran for 58 touchdowns, according to theteam. He also won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and was named NFL MVP in 2015. He led the team to a 15-1 record that season, and an appearance in the Super Bowl in 2016.
So far, Newton has not publicly reacted to the news of his Panthers return.
“The reason why they released me is because, indirectly, I was going to be a distraction, without being a starter,” Newton said in aFunky Fridayvideo in September. “Just my aura. That’s my gift and my curse.”
Yet, Newton admitted he would have accepted a backup role with the Patriots.
“Let me be honest with you. If they would have asked me [to be a backup], I would have said absolutely,” Newton said.
“The truth of the matter is this. [Jones] would have been uncomfortable,” he continued.
The Panthers have a 4-5 record on the season so far and have turned to Newton after starting quarterback Sam Darnold injured his shoulder. He isexpected to be out for four to six weeks.
source: people.com
