Should the Carolina Panthers consider calling Cam Newton again?

With another injury at the quarterback position and a change in head coach, could the Carolina Panthers give Cam Newton a call again?

It’s been a dramatic few days for the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Matt Rhule was fired after a disappointing start to the campaign, with quarterback Baker Mayfield also set to miss time with a high ankle sprain heading into the midway period.

Mayfield will be getting a second opinion in the coming days regarding the timeline before his return. Carolina looks set to move forward with P.J. Walker as the starter with Jacob Eason backing him up, which isn’t going to do interim coach Steve Wilks any favors in pursuit of earning the job long-term.

With so much uncertainty at football’s most important position and Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Matt Corral all on the shelf, the obvious talk of going back to an old friend came up amongst the fanbase on social media.

That, of course, is Cam Newton.

Cam Newton should avoid the Carolina Panthers this time around

The iconic signal-caller remains a free agent after not coming back to the Panthers following his bombshell return in 2021. Newton has reportedly received offers but is waiting for the right one, according to Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio, so whether he’d be willing to accept a third go-around in Carolina is highly debatable.

"“With QB injuries, Cam Newton’s name understandably comes up. It’s important to note that he isn’t just sitting around waiting for somebody – anybody- to call. Per source, he turned down at least one deal this past offseason. Waiting for the right opportunity.”"

Newton still has connections to influential figures within the franchise. Rhule is no longer around, which also helps in this scenario.

It would be a fairytale to many that still worship the former No. 1 overall selection. This is undeniably the best offensive line Newton’s ever had after some significant improvements across the board this season.

However, there are some severe stumbling blocks here that make this move unlikely.

Newton would be coming in late and learning a new system on the fly for a second time. Not exactly ideal, but something the Auburn product’s done since his original release by the Panthers in 2020.

This might also cause some complications within the quarterback room. Just how much Mayfield and Newton’s personalities would mesh is anyone’s guess and there is also the prospect of Darnold returning from an ankle injury of his own in the not-too-distant future.

There’s no doubt Newton loves the Panthers and the fans love him back. He’s not the force of old, but how much worse could it be if Mayfield is forced to miss a considerable period of time?

Carolina’s locker room was a different place for Newton than the one he left. The veteran spoke about not everyone buying in and considering the Panthers are currently sitting at 1-4, it’s not the most enticing proposition.

With that being said, this could be one final chance for Newton to prove he still has something left to give. An opportunity he wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere.

There comes a time when fans have to let this go, obviously. A series of failed personnel moves under center played a huge factor in Rhule’s demise, which all began by releasing Newton at a time when stability was needed more than ever.

Stranger things have happened. And few would have envisaged Newton returning before the Panthers’ shock win at the Arizona Cardinals last season.

But for the player’s sake, he’d be wise not to answer the phone if the Panthers do come calling.