This time last year, there’s no way Cam Newton could have seen this coming.
The former No. 1 overall pick and league MVP was the face of Carolina’s franchise heading into the 2019 season but less than a year later, Newton is out of a job with no end in sight at the moment.
Living in the coronavirus era is difficult for all of us but when you consider Newton isn’t able to visit with teams or league doctors and is coming off a season-ending injury, the shutdown is really hurting the former Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn.
Once an unthinkable option, Newton is now open to taking a backup role for the 2020 season according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
“My understanding right now, and of course, we’ve seen some of the other high profile free agents, Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, get prime backup jobs, obviously, with the Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints,” Rapoport said Thursday on NFL Network. “Now the focus shifts to Cam Newton. Where is he going to land?
“The thought process has been all along that Newton wants to be a starter. He does want to be a starter, former MVP. He should be a starter but the reality is there just aren’t any starting jobs available. So now, maybe a little bit of a shift in philosophy here. My understanding is that Cam Newton, has not ruled out, taking a backup job in the right situation remains to be seen.”
It’s been a strange year for Newton but if and when he does sign on with a team, time off to rest his injuries may prove to be the best thing the former league MVP could ask for as he works his way back on to the field.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
