Cam Newton is not ready to be done playing in the NFL. The 2015 NFL MVP is looking to get on a roster after not being signed during the 2022 season. Recently he participated in the Auburn pro day, his alma mater.
A video went viral of Newton saying adamantly that there are not more than 32 starting NFL quarterbacks than him. The perception is he wouldn’t settle for being a backup. However, Newton addressed the “false narrative” on his YouTube channel.
“This is how I feel,” Newton said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “There ain’t 32 guys that’s better than me. But I also know that I could also be a backup, and I’m willing to be a backup.”
Newton later suggested he would only entertain backing up a selected group of quarterbacks.
He named Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Fields, Deshaun Watson, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, Malik Willis, Aaron Rodgers, and Washington Commanders projected starter Sam Howell as quarterbacks he’d be willing to back up.
Newton also named three incoming rookies, C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, and Anthony Richardson — all projected to be selected in the first round of this month’s draft, to tutor as a backup.
His list is an intriguing group of names. Some names are understandable that Newton would be the QB2 if he played on the same team. However, others like Howell and Willis may puzzle some fans.
Patra notes Howell and Willis — Fields and Watson as well — each played in a Newton-sponsored 7-on-7 young program.
Howell’s name is also interesting considering Cam Newton played nine seasons for the Carolina Panthers with Ron Rivera as his head coach. Rivera is now the head coach of the Commanders.
The Commanders however appear set at quarterback. The team signed veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett to mentor and compete with Howell entering training camp. Washington is sure to add a third, yet young, quarterback to the room.
Newton was once one of the NFL’s premier quarterbacks. He made three Pro Bowls, got named NFL MVP, and guided the Panthers to a Super Bowl 50 appearance. That’s all after winning a national championship and Heisman Trophy in college at Auburn.
Yet, his career took a turn after a shoulder injury in 2019. Rivera got fired during the season, and the Panthers released Newton the following off-season.
Newton sought a new NFL home. His history with Rivera linked him to Washington. However, the team was not interested then. Newton signed with the New England Patriots in 2020. He started 15 games for the Patriots, throwing 2,867 yards, eight touchdowns, and ten interceptions.
Midway through the 2021 season, Newton returned to the Panthers with Matt Rhule as head coach. He started five games and appeared in eight. He finished the season with 684 passing yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
He’ll be 34 years old by the start of training camp. His recent body of work would make it difficult to dictate an ideal situation for him. Teams are getting younger at quarterback. They also want a backup that is an aid in the QB room and is ready to play in the event of injury.
Washington is one of the situations that already checked those items. Keep in mind the Commanders are also not interested in Lamar Jackson, who recently requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens. Jackson is, in many ways, a younger version of prime Cam Newton.
Newton may have to wait until after the draft, possibly a minicamp or an injury, to get an opportunity to sign with an NFL team.
