What were some major observations from former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's performance at Auburn's pro day?
With interest dwindling, Cam Newton took matters into his own hands. The former Carolina Panthers quarterback showcased what he could potentially bring to an NFL franchise at Auburn's pro day on Tuesday, which was well attended by front-office personnel and coaches given the high-caliber prospects emerging from the program in 2023.
Newton hasn't been involved competitively since the Panthers opted to cut ties after his sensational return in 2021. That's a long time to be without a team, but the one-time NFL MVP is clearly not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
While another stint with the Panthers is a non-starter, Newton is adamant there aren't 32 quarterbacks better than him. However, the only opinions that matter are those around the league, who might not necessarily agree with this particular notion.
With that being said, here are three major observations from Newton's performance at Auburn's pro day.
Major Observation No. 1
Cam Newton remains in supreme physical shape
Cam Newton has always been a physical specimen. He was that way upon joining the Carolina Panthers as the No. 1 overall selection in 2011 and nothing has changed.
Newton certainly looked the part from an athletic standpoint, turning up to Auburn's pro day in supreme condition. While there's a clear difference between conditioning and being football fit, this is one part of the Heisman Trophy winner's credentials that can never be questioned.
Cam Newton still has a live arm
Much has been made about Cam Newton's arm strength in recent years. The brutal hit received by T.J. Watt left the quarterback's shoulder in tatters and is the primary reason why there's been such a notable drop-off in velocity any time he's manned the plate under center since.
Perhaps the time away has allowed Newton to heal properly. At least based on his Auburn pro day outing, the player's arm looked live and that was some nice accuracy on deep balls to further enhance his claims of another opportunity.
This was positive, but it needs some context. It was a structured, relaxed environment designed to enhance the capabilities of NFL Draft prospects and Newton alike, so just how much weight the showcase holds when push comes to shove remains to be seen.
Cam Newton with an impromptu Scramble Drill bomb to his younger brother Caylin pic.twitter.com/nxwmNtAzYq
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) March 21, 2023
Newton's experienced enough to know how things work. He has a lot going on away from the gridiron with a thriving media company, his 7-on-7 coaching initiative, and a growing property portfolio, but there is still a clear fire within the iconic figure to prove his doubters wrong.
The athleticism looks there - even if it might not be the same as when Newton took the league by storm - and the arm did look good in a non-pressurized environment. At the very least, it's given teams something to think about when weighing up their quarterback options.
Cam Newton's workout might not move the needle
It was nice to see Cam Newton throwing the football again. And no doubt having his brother - draft hopeful Caylin Newton - catching passes was an added bonus.
However, it might not move the needle.
Newton remains a threat carrying the football. But expecting to walk into a starting job once again just isn't going to happen - things are too far gone for that.
This is a former NFL MVP. A Heisman Trophy winner. An All-Pro with a larger-than-life persona that transcends the game of football.
Whether you agree or not, teams are obviously wary about having such a big personality as a backup option. This piles extra pressure on the starter and could make things more difficult than they need to be.
If it doesn't sound fair, that's because it isn't. But the NFL is a fickle beast.
Newton cannot do anymore from a personal standpoint. Nor should he.
The Carolina Panthers have gone in a different direction after surging up to No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Others around the league are also in their final stages of planning with spots almost full, which makes the situation bleak for Newton no matter how much he might have left to give.
The term out of sight, out of mind describes Newton's situation perfectly. His place in NFL folklore is secured, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if this truly was the end of the road.