Former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen has come out in support of ex-teammate Cam Newton and questioned the timing of his release from the franchise.
Things do not look good right now for Cam Newton’s chances of walking back into another starting job. This could have something to do with the former Carolina Panthers star’s injury problems. But ex-teammate Greg Olsen thinks the timing of his release also played a significant part in his current predicament.
Carolina eventually decided to part ways with the 2015 NFL MVP on March 24. By this time, most of the vacant starting roles had been filled and it left Newton extremely short of options.
This might remain the case while team doctors are unable to conduct their own independent medical evaluations regarding the player’s health after foot and shoulder problems in recent seasons. Newton is also reportedly unable to accept a backup role and is willing to wait until a spot becomes available during the 2020 season, which also complicates matters.
Olsen was a compatriot of Newton for nine years and the pair developed fantastic chemistry that brought a significant amount of success. The tight end also left the Panthers this offseason to sign a free-agent deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Speaking to reporters via video conference on Tuesday, Olsen did not hold back when speaking about Newton’s situation.
"“I’ve been on the record a million times about what Cam has meant for my career and the relationship and the things that we’ve been able to accomplish together over the last nine years. So it’s hard for us who care about him and who have been through so much and know him so well to see him not signed yet. I think the timing of everything going on in the world and specifically as it pertains to our country and the NFL, with him coming off the injuries, was just really not an ideal situation. If he would have been released a little earlier, kind of like me, I was able to get out in front, come visit Seattle. Maybe Seattle doesn’t sign me if I don’t have a chance to go out there and meet them and them see me and do my physical.“Getting released after the lockdown was put in place, I think really limited his chances of teams A.) seeing that he was healthy and B.) just having a conversation with your potential new quarterback. I think that’s been a challenge for him. I just hope that as things continue opening up and life sort of starts resembling some normalcy again that he can start checking off some of those boxes because he’s too good of a player to not be on a team right now. For so many of us who have seen him up close and personal for a long time, it’s kind of hard to swallow. We’re kind of in uncharted waters right now, kind of weird times. I think all of those factors have kind of played into the current situation he’s in.”"
While it was hard to predict the severity surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and the impact it has had on everyday life. The timing surrounding Newton’s release does seem odd especially when one considers that the writing was on the wall for some time.
It seemed the Panthers moved on from Newton quickly with the signing of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. But they kept him on the roster long enough to severely limit his options of making a go of things elsewhere.
This treatment is something the Panthers probably should have handled better. But it can give Newton all the ammunition he needs to return to his former glory at the next place he calls home.