Panthers bring back former MVP Cam Newton on one-year deal
The Charlotte Observer's Jonathan M. Alexander first reported that 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers were meeting on Thursday morning to discuss a possible reunion. Apparently the meeting went pretty well, as the 32-year-old agreed to a deal to return to the organization that selected him first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Panthers were in the market for a new starting quarterback after Sam Darnold was recently placed on IR with a shoulder injury. As NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted, while the Panthers are just 4-5, they are still very much in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The former Auburn star's best season came in 2015 when he was named First-Team All-Pro, won the league's MVP Award, and guided the Panthers to a 15-1 record and an appearance in Super Bowl 50. Over 140 career games, including last season with the New England Patriots, Newton has completed 60.1% of his passes for 31,698 yards and 190 touchdowns against 118 interceptions.
Newton has also recorded 5,398 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns on 1,071 career carries.
After nine years with the Panthers, Newton was cut by the squad in March 2020 and signed by the Patriots to a one-year, $1.75 million deal last July. After one season with the Patriots, Newton was released on Aug. 31, 2021.
More must-reads: