4 QBs the Carolina Panthers could target to boost backup options in 2022

Carolina Panthers could re-sign Cam Newton

It didn’t take long for this to come up.

Almost as soon as the cart came out for Sam Darnold on Friday evening, social media was full of questions about whether this unfortunate injury would see another return for Cam Newton. Something that was asked to head coach Matt Rhule in his post-game presser before the USC product’s official prognosis became public knowledge.

"“Scott (Fitterer, the Panthers’ GM) and I would have to talk about that, and obviously Cam would have to weigh in on that. There’d be a lot of things we’d have to look at. You guys know my feeling on Cam. My time with him was fantastic, but it’s probably too early to say anything about that.”"

Newton is idolized and will go down in Carolina Panthers’ folklore. His bombshell return in 2021 sent shockwaves through the NFL, even if it didn’t come with the necessary improvements on the field in difficult circumstances for the former No. 1 overall selection out of Auburn.

Although Newton still believes that he is one of the best 32 quarterbacks – and he might be right – the chance of another Panthers reunion appears unlikely. Carolina has one big personality under center right now in Baker Mayfield, who has the swagger and urgency not seen at the franchise since the 2015 NFL MVP was at the peak of his powers.

Newton would need to be Mayfield’s backup and nothing more at this juncture. And even then, the Panthers might be making this situation more complicated than it needs to be.

With that being said, Newton is the best free-agent remaining and it’s not close. This roster also has a lot more about it than the one he joined last season.