Its been real Cam. And fun. But all good things come to an end. And according to the Carolina Panthers, your services are no longer required.
On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers gave Cam Newton permission to seek a trade, while simultaneously working on details of a contract with free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Bridgewater’s contract is rumored to be for 3 years and 60 million, averaging around $20 million per year. It will be officially completed by the time the new league year begins Wednesday.
Newton meanwhile took to social media to express his side of the situation. Newton responded to the team’s post on Instagram saying that he could seek a trade.
“Stop with the word play. I never asked for it,” he said. “There is no dodging this one. I love the Panthers to death and will always love you guys. Please do not try and play me or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this. You forced me into this. Love”
Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who parted ways with the Panthers after nine seasons this year, responded to Newton’s comments on Instagram with one of his own: “Sounds familiar.”
Bridgewater had a strong showing filling in for the injured Drew Brees in New Orleans last season. He went 5-0 as a starter, saving a promising season.
Bridgewater is a former 1st round pick of the Vikings out of the University of Louisville. He has been slowly proving his worth since a horrific knee injury cost him almost two full seasons.
New Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady has worked with Bridgewater in the past, during his two years as an offensive assistant with the Saints, which would explain the attraction between Bridgewater and the current regime of the Panthers.
Newton, continues to rehab from Lisfranc surgery that was performed in December. His rehab has gone well and a league source told ESPN that he was on track to fully participate in a June minicamp before the coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to suspend offseason programs.
Newton was at his peak in the 2015 season, winning the the NFL MVP in 2015 and leading the Panthers to the Super Bowl with a 15-1 regular season record. The Panthers lost Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos 24-10. The Panthers have been to the playoffs only once since then, a wild-card loss to the Saints in 2017.
Newton missed 14 games last season with the Lisfranc injury and the final two games of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury that also required surgery. He turns 31 in August.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney issued a statement about Newton.
“One of the distinct pleasures of my career was selecting Cam with the first pick in the 2011 draft,” he said. “Every year difficult decisions are made and they are never easy. We have been working with Cam and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward and he will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts.”
The Panthers under new coach Matt Rhule have cleared the roster in an attempt to rebuild with younger talent. TE Greg Olsen was released in February. The Panthers parted ways with Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner in a trade last week with the Chargers for LT Russell Okung.
