4 things Cam Newton and the Panthers must agree before 2022 return
By Dean Jones
What must be agreed between quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers before a potential return takes place in 2022?
There remains some doubt about what the Carolina Panthers are going to do at the quarterback position despite the presence of Sam Darnold and Matt Corral on the roster. The USC product reportedly shone in practice at OTAs on Wednesday, but the fifth-year-pro has a long way to go in pursuit of convincing people he can lead the team back to prominence.
Corral is seen as a work in progress that could become a productive starter over time. This has led to the team refusing to rule out a move for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo and there is even a chance that Cam Newton makes another return to the Panthers providing it fits all parties.
Newton made his triumphant return to Carolina last season in difficult circumstances. The former NFL MVP galvanized the organization briefly, but it was evident that even he could stop the obvious freefall as the Panthers lost 12 of their final 14 league games.
Matt Rhule stated that talks could begin again between Newton and the Panthers. But what must be agreed upon before another go-around in 2022?
Agreement No. 1
Cam Newton must be fairly compensated
As is the case in most contract situations, money is the most significant factor. Cam Newton will want to be paid in accordance with his status, even though he might be past the peak of his powers at 33 years old.
Newton got a solid amount of cash from the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Something the franchise almost had to stump up considering how the signal-caller was treated before his release in 2020.
Perhaps getting franchise quarterback money is out of the question. But this shouldn’t be much of an issue when one considers how much salary-cap space Carolina has right now.