Has Cam Newton played his final snap for the Carolina Panthers?
By Dean Jones
Has legendary quarterback Cam Newton played his final game for the Carolina Panthers after Sam Darnold was named the starter once again?
It was sad to see Cam Newton on the sidelines after what the quarterback has meant to the Carolina Panthers throughout his illustrious career. Head coach Matt Rhule was always going to go back to Sam Darnold – a man he gave three draft picks to the New York Jets to acquire before the draft and triggered his fifth-year option without seeing him play competitively in person.
Darnold’s regression this season was glaring without Christian McCaffrey. Things didn’t exactly get better at the New Orleans Saints despite some ultra-conservative play calling, but rather than chop and change at the position, Rhule held firm with the USC product and keep Newton on the sidelines for all but one play.
The former NFL MVP’s five-yard run was all fans got to see of the player, who was benched pretty quickly during what might just be his last performance in a Carolina uniform at Bank of America Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sunday’s contest at the Bucs could be the final occasion Newton suits up for the Panthers. A potential return in 2022 hasn’t been ruled out by any stretch, but Rhule giving Darnold another shot in Week 18 undoubtedly dictates his preference for the player.
Newton’s bombshell return sent shockwaves through the NFL. But this positive momentum quickly turned sour when results failed to improve.
It wasn’t an easy situation for the Auburn product. But has Newton gambled his overall future on a fairytale return?