The second Cam Newton era with the Carolina Panthers seemed to end in much the same way the first one did. With a realization that the two sides just wouldn’t be able to recapture the magic that made it so great in the first place.
However, per a new comment by Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer, it appears that Newton’s time in Charlotte might not actually be over.
When asked about the potential for Newton to return to Carolina next season, Fitterer said, “It’s gotta be a fit for us and it’s gotta be a fit for him, just as well. He’s looking for a certain opportunity. The door’s still open for us.”
The door is open for Cam Newton to stick around with the Panthers. 👀 pic.twitter.com/8jmLpdivEY
— theScore (@theScore) March 25, 2022
“We would love to add someone with his leadership and his toughness,” Fitterer said on Friday. “He brought so much to this team last year and stabilized us during a really hard time, and I think he’s a really special person.”
“It’s not just us saying, ‘Hey Cam, come on back.’ He’s got to want to come back. He’s got to like the role and the room and the situation.”
Newton returned to the Panthers in November and made a big splash, scoring a touchdown and telling the world “I’m back!” He eventually got the starting job back and it felt like he might be able to recapture some of the magic from his time as an MVP quarterback for the franchise. However, things came crashing back down to Earth and the Panthers ended the season with a whimper. Cam was 0-5 as a starter and his arm just wasn’t what it used to be.
While the team was in the mix for Deshaun Watson, that never came together, leaving them back at the drawing board for the QB position.
Fitterer said that head coach Matt Rhule had spoken to Newton and their conversations went “well,” but it would have to be assumed that if Cam came back once more it would be in a true backup role to make room for the future of the franchise. Would Newton be okay with that on a team he was once synonymous with?
The reactions to the news that Newton might still have a chance to start for the Panthers in 2022 were strong, to say the least.
Cam Newton is no longer a starting QB in the NFL. Backup? Sure.
— 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 (@exavierpope) March 25, 2022
Catastrophic whiff if the Panthers enter camp with Sam Darnold and Cam Newton competing. https://t.co/WRqVZtdvq6
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) March 25, 2022
Bring in Cam, draft Malik (if he's there) or an LT if he's not. https://t.co/Q9m6rrUXIW
— Langston Wertz Jr. (@langstonwertzjr) March 25, 2022
That was clearly Cam and the job was given back to Darnold so forgive me if that’s hard to believe https://t.co/rlahG52iXW
— Moe Hilou (@910Moe) March 25, 2022
— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) March 25, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.