4 critical factors behind Cam Newton’s jaw-dropping Panthers return
By Miles Ruder
Making things right with Cam Newton
It’s never easy to move on from a franchise quarterback that took your team to a Super Bowl and won an MVP. But in March of 2020, the Carolina Panthers decided this move was necessary to begin building towards the future without Cam Newton in the blueprint.
In the way it was handled, it wasn’t exactly a clean divorce.
This was in large part to new ownership and coaches being brought in. When this happens, new management tends to seek “their guys” to lead the team and the older players get phased out.
The Panthers Instagram page made a post shortly before Newton’s release stating the signal-caller had been granted permission to seek a trade, implying that he requested one. But the former No. 1 overall pick quickly shot that down and replied to the post.
"“Stop with the word play!! I never asked for it!! There is no dodging this one; I love the @panthers to death and will always love you guys!! Please do not try to play me, or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this; you forced me into this!!”"
Just one week later after failing to find a trade partner, Newton was released from the team.
In a way, bringing Newton back wasn’t just about adding another quarterback to the roster. It was about healing a relationship that was broken.
Newton meant so much to the city of Charlotte and to the Panthers fanbase that the way he was forced out never felt right.
Newton met with David Tepper, Scott Fitterer, and Matt Rhule this week to clear the air, repair the relationship, and move forward for the greater good of the team. Something that was a necessity to get supporters back onside.