Cam Newton to receive chance to retire with Panthers?

Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and Pro Bowl linebacker Thomas Davis both signed one-day contracts to retire as members of the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. 

Olsen said after the fact that he'd like quarterback and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton to receive the same honor. 

"He deserves it," Olsen explained, per Darin Gantt of the club's official website. "If there's a list of people who love Cam and care for him and appreciate him, I'm at the top of it. I've said before, he's the best thing that ever happened to my career. I don't know if I have the career I had if not for the nine years I spent with him. He made me a better player. We enjoyed each other as people. We're very different people, and I think that's what made it so special and made our connection so unique.

"When Cam's day is done, I don't know when that will be, how many years from now, . . . when that day is come, if anybody has earned the right to have a day like today to recognize all he gave to this organization, putting this organization on the map nationally, it was him, it was Luke Kuechly, it's guys that transcended being good football players, they were generational football players.

"He's a guy who earned the right to get his send-off whenever that time comes. And there are a hundred other guys that played with him that feel the way I feel about him. I hope that day we can all be there and give him the send-off he deserves."

Owner David Tepper suggested Olsen will get his wish. 

"We'll bring the other one home eventually," Tepper said. 

Newton, 31, guided the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 but couldn't propel Carolina past the Denver Broncos in the title game. He and the Panthers unceremoniously parted ways last March, and he spent what became a rather forgettable campaign with the New England Patriots. 

He may have to accept a role as a backup to remain active this fall but has given zero indication he's ready to hang his cleats up at this stage of his career.