Former NFL pro-turned-analyst calls on Cam Newton to retire

A former NFL pro-turned-analyst has called on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to retire following the 2021 season.

Cam Newton will be watching from the sidelines initially when the Carolina Panthers travel to the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. The former NFL MVP hasn’t done enough to keep Sam Darnold out of the equation since returning and Matt Rhule saw enough during the USC product’s time under center against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to name him the starter.

This is yet another blow for Newton and those within the team’s fanbase who idolize the No. 1 overall selection out of Auburn. The signal-caller hasn’t exactly been put in the best position to succeed and arrived very late in the season, but it seems as if his days with the franchise could be done for good once the 2021 campaign comes to a conclusion.

What comes next for Newton is uncertain. Selecting Darnold – the only quarterback under contract next season – was not surprising considering Rhule and the Panthers gave up three draft picks to acquire him from the New York Jets.

It’s pretty clear Darnold is never going to be the answer. But Rhule believes he’s the better option in his opinion judging by his comments following the announcement.

For now, that’s the only opinion that matters.

"“Sam’s been working hard to get back. He played well in this ballgame the first time. I thought he did some good things in the game last week. So we could only start one of the guys and we made the decision that Sam would get the start. But both guys will be ready to play.”"

Newton himself had a nostalgic feel post-game against the Buccaneers. Perhaps more reflective than he’s ever been throughout his storied NFL career so far and a real surprise considering the player often focuses on the future and not the past.

Cam Newton should retire, according to Emmanuel Acho.

One former NFL pro-turned-analyst has been heavily lobbying for Newton to retire following the season. Emmanuel Acho has been scathing of the quarterback’s production since assuming command under center despite his admiration for the player, even going as far to say those wishing for such an iconic figure to prolong his career at this juncture are his enemy.

This brought an expected response from Panthers fans who unconditionally support Newton. But Acho doubled down on this stance when footage of the player’s comments after another loss was shared on social media.

Although Newton is far from the force of old, he was put in an impossible position and deserves credit for coming back and trying to keep the Panthers in playoff contention. Even if things didn’t work out as all parties had hoped.

There wasn’t a great deal of interest in Newton following his release by the New England Patriots. So whether his production in Carolina will alter this is highly debatable.

Regardless of whether Newton calls it a day or not, he owes nothing to the Panthers – giving every last ounce of emotion and taking remarkable physical punishment to take the team from obscurity into the national spotlight and legitimate Super Bowl contention.

At least fans got the chance to give Newton a fond farewell at Bank of America Stadium. But a sparse crowd and boos throughout didn’t exactly give the warmest of feelings, in all honesty.

That’s nothing to do with Newton and everything to do with a regime that’s mismanaged the quarterback position from the moment they entered the building.

Acho might be right in the long run. But the very least Newton deserves is to go out on his own terms.