Panthers head coach Matt Rhule lifts lid on difficult first month
By Dean Jones
Matt Rhule on Cam Newton’s release
After releasing former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is hoping he can succeed at another franchise.
After an injury-plagued 2019 campaign, Newton was let go by the franchise and is still searching for a new home in free agency.
Rhule outlined that the decision to part ways with the signal-caller was a difficult one. But hopes that he can go on and prolong his career in a new environment.
"“I think the world of Cam — as a person, and then everyone knows the type of player he’s been for many, many years. And I hope for his sake that he’ll find that success wherever he ends up.”"
Newton ended a prolific nine-year stint with the franchise on a sour note after playing just two games last season due to injury. His time with the franchise saw the quarterback record 29,041 passing yards, 182 touchdowns, and 108 interceptions.
He also rushed for 4,806 yards on a 5.1 yards-per-carry average, securing 58 touchdowns in the process. Newton was due to make $16.2 million in base salary in 2020 and his release relieved the Panthers of some much-needed cap space.
The writing was on the wall for the former No.1 overall pick out of Auburn the moment Carolina decided to swoop for hot free agent commodity Teddy Bridgewater. The timing of the departure was a strange one and has left Newton with few starting options elsewhere.