Matt Rhule gives expected response to Cam Newton speculation

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule dodged the inevitable questions surrounding a potential return for Cam Newton without closing the door completely. 

With the expected news surrounding quarterback Sam Darnold heading to the reserve/injured list, the calls for the Carolina Panthers to patch things up with and re-sign Cam Newton are growing louder by the minute. The 2015 NFL MVP is clearly the best free-agent option available at this stage of the season, with his vaccination status now something any interested teams won’t see as a potential complication.

Head coach Matt Rhule spoke to the media on Wednesday to confirm Darnold’s status – which he said was hopefully not season-ending and a four-week minimum absence. This leaves the Panthers holding on to hopes that P.J. Walker will show the sort of form he displayed during his only other start in 2020 against the Detroit Lions.

Although the team did acquire Matt Barkley from the Tennessee Titans practice squad, he’s not the answer in the short of long-term. The Panthers are currently half a game out of a wildcard spot, so even though things seem bad they are far from out of the playoff picture just yet.

The growing disillusion within Carolina’s fanbase is evident.

That would all change if the Panthers swallowed their pride and brought Newton back into the fold.

This was a sentiment echoed by former Panthers player Tre Boston, who called on the team to try and convince Newton to re-join the organization on social media.

Matt Rhule dodged the Cam Newton questions, as expected.

When inevitably asked about the subject on Wednesday, Rhule stated he wasn’t going to go into specifics regarding any incoming – Newton included – although he didn’t shut the door entirely.

"“We are looking at any and all options. We’re going to look at everything. I expect P.J. to play well but there’s nothing we won’t look at. I won’t get into hypotheticals with specific players. Our job is to try and win but we’ll talk to whoever is out there that’s going to help our team win. That’s Scott’s (Fitterer) job to find out who’s out there and we trust P.J. I’ll support him on other potential options but right now I’m just focusing on this week.”"

If Rhule thought that was going to be the end of it, he was mistaken.

Credentialed journalists in attendance asked about the prospect of Newton signing on multiple occasions, with the former Baylor man becoming increasingly annoyed.

"“I feel like I’ve answered those questions well enough, guys.”"

It would still be a big surprise if Newton ended up in Carolina. And there is some doubt as to whether the former Auburn star would actually accept an offer after the way he was treated.

This was an avoidable situation.

Now the Panthers are without the player they thought could become the long-term answer under center and left with few options outside of the obvious in pursuit of salvaging their season.

Facing the 8-1 Arizona Cardinals on the road wouldn’t be Carolina’s first choice after such a disastrous result against the New England Patriots. If Walker bombs out and the Panthers get soundly beaten, then the only option is to call Newton.

Whether he’s receptive or not is another matter. But the benefits are there for all to see not only on the field but across the organization.