3 scenarios where Cam Newton could still sign with Panthers in 2022

Cam Newton accepts a utility player role

For Cam Newton to find his way back into the Carolina Panthers locker room, the first thing that must happen is for the quarterback to have an awareness of where his career is at this point. There is an argument that he was set up for failure last season and his struggles with New England weren’t entirely his fault, but it’s hard to deny that the player’s best days aren’t behind him.

However, for Newton to work his way back into this league, he is going to have to be willing to take a step back and contribute to a team from the bench. That doesn’t mean the Panthers sign the No. 1 overall selection in 2011 to just hold a clipboard – it would come with a very specific role on offense.

If there is one part of his game that Newton clearly still has a grasp it’s his elite ability around the goal line or in a short-yardage situation. Teams still rightly fear his ability to make a play with his feet and find open space or to simply power his way through what often appears to be helpless defenders.

Newton can serve in much the same role we watched Taysom Hill occupy with the New Orleans Saints or current Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Marcus Mariota with the Las Vegas Raiders over the past two seasons.

Allow Newton to come back and fire up the stadium with a skill set that made him such a special player in this league. With the Panthers looking to install a power running attack under Ben McAdoo, this might be worth considering.