New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Did QB Cam Newton want multiyear deal from Panthers?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Nov 11, 2021 5:53 PM ET

Carolina Panthers legend and 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton returned to Carolina Thursday after starting signal-caller Sam Darnold went down for at least a month with a shoulder injury.

Newton put pen to paper on a one-year deal that could be worth up to $10 million when all is said and done, but Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer suggested the quarterback's camp wanted more time attached to that contract, per Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer:

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer on Cam Newton's deal: "We did go back and forth Samir Suleiman was very involved. It was a back and forth between them (Cam's representation)."

"We wanted to get him here."

"The one year was the one that best fit us, as well as Cam at this time."
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 11, 2021

Panthers GM Scott Fitterrer on Cam Newton: "I always admired the competitor athlete. But really meeting him today, this guy is all about team. He was really an impressive person. He's coming in looking to help us. He thinks he can put us over the top."
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 11, 2021

Much has been made about Newton's well-known injury history, specifically his surgically-repaired shoulder. Fitterer assured everyone he isn't concerned about that potential issue:

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said Cam Newton's shoulder checked out OK today.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 11, 2021

Former XFL star P.J. Walker is starting in Darnold's place at the 8-1 Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, but head coach Matt Rhule hinted earlier in the day that new acquisition Matt Barkley and also Newton could dress this weekend. Fitterer teased the same:

Fitterer: "We just need him to play really good football this weekend and next weekend moving forward."

On whether he'd play this week:

"It really depends on how quickly he can pick it up and how quickly our coaches feel comfortable to putting him in."
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 11, 2021

Considering the comments made by both Fitterer and Rhule, one wonders if Walker can do anything against Arizona to remain atop the depth chart when Carolina faces the Washington Football Team on Nov. 21.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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