4 Carolina Panthers who could contemplate retirement in 2022

Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers QB

It might not be what many want to hear. But the prospect of Cam Newton retiring this offseason is a realistic one.

The quarterback made an extremely welcome return to the Carolina Panthers ahead of their Week 10 game at the Arizona Cardinals. His arrival injected life into a stagnant organization and although things haven’t gone as expected in terms of results, it wasn’t exactly the most profitable of situations for the former Auburn star to be coming back into.

Newton has been something of a scapegoat for Matt Rhule, who clearly assesses the 20215 NFL MVP and Sam Darnold completely differently. Turning out in just one snap in Week 17 and the head coach already declaring a similar approach is coming at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers means that a parting of the ways for a second time is realistic.

Whether another team looks at Newton as a viable option is unclear. There didn’t appear any considerable interest upon his release from the New England Patriots and if the same happens again, it’s difficult to see another path for the player en route to a starting gig.

There is a small chance Carolina brings him back. But they are tied to Darnold’s $18.85 million fifth-year option, which was a ludicrous decision at the time and even more so now.

Newton owes the game nothing. He has given it absolutely everything.

Spending his last days holding a clipboard is not befitting of a man that revolutionized how quarterbacks were perceived. Retiring as a Panther after making $133.45 million in contracts alone preserves Newton’s legacy and allows him to go out on his own terms.

Whether or not this is something in Newton’s mindset is highly debatable giving his competitive nature.