Update: The team has confirmed the news. Cam Newton has officially been released.
#Panthers have released QB Cam Newton https://t.co/rmOOppyGmG
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 24, 2020
The Carolina Panthers are expected to release quarterback Cam Newton today, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Panthers are expected to release QB Cam Newton today, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2020
Newton has been the Panthers’ starting quarterback since being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and is inarguably the best quarterback in franchise history, but it appears his time in Carolina is coming to its expected (and unfortunate) close now that Teddy Bridgewater has officially signed his three-year, $63 million contract.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Panthers tried to shop Cam to the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers, but couldn’t get a deal done.
The #Panthers tried to send Cam Newton to the #Bears and #Chargers. They found no takers and at this point, no starting jobs available. Release was the only option. Carolina has just $2M in dead money with this release, but Cam is now free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2020
With teams being unable to get a good handle on Newton’s health due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s nearly impossible for the Panthers to trade him. Since the Panthers don’t want to have both Newton and Bridgewater on the roster and can recoup $19 million in cap space by releasing Newton, it makes little sense for them to keep Newton on the roster.
So now, the Cam Newton era is over. I don’t know what the future holds for the Panthers, but it’s going to be weird not seeing Cam on the sideline or on the field making plays. I still don’t know how to feel about this, but I hope it works out for the best.
Stay tuned for updates to this developing story.