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Is a reunion on the horizon?
The Carolina Panthers appear to be on the verge of doing something in short supply in the NFL: Admitting they messed up. Cam Newton is meeting with the team on Thursday to discuss returning as the team’s quarterback, according to report from the Charlotte Observer.
Newton has been without a team since being cut by the New England Patriots to hand the reins to Mac Jones during preseason. The 32-year-old Newton may be a far cry from his former MVP glory, but he’s still infinitely better than anything the Panthers have on offer, especially after it was revealed Sam Darnold suffered a fracture in his shoulder blade during the Panthers loss to the Patriots in Week 9.
The Panthers have struggled to fill Newton’s void at quarterback since the team released him in 2020 to coincide with Matt Rhule becoming the team’s new head coach. Since that point Carolina signed Teddy Bridgewater, traded for Sam Darnold, and now are shuffling deckchairs during their sinking season. The Panthers are currently staring down the possibility of starting P.J. Walker, who arrived from the XFL last season, or Matt Barkley, who the team signed this week.
Speculation of Newton’s return to Carolina has been suggested by fans during the team’s desperate attempts to find a quarterback. However, few believed it was a real possibility — especially considering the unceremonious end the quarterback had to his tenure with the Panthers. However, now it makes too much sense for both sides, with the Panthers obviously trying to find a back-door into an NFC playoff picture that remains wide open, and Newton desperate to show he still has what it takes to play in the NFL.
It’s unlikely Newton would be seen as a long-term option under center again. Clearly his recent injury history is cause for concern to stake the farm on, but desperate times call for desperate measures — and with Cam meeting the coaching staff, as well as owner David Tepper on Thursday, could mean we actually see a return of No. 1 to the Panthers.