Cam Newton’s Confident Message to His Doubters
For the first time in his NFL career, Cam Newton will play for another team aside from the Carolina Panthers. Newton is in the free-agent market, where he has the opportunity to showcase that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank to play at an elite level. However, it hasn’t been the cleanest process for him as he dealt with those second-guessing what he brings to the table at this point in his career. With that in mind, Newton has a clear message for his doubters.
Cam Newton cut by the Panthers
Throughout the last several months, there was lingering chatter that Newton had played his final game for the Panthers.
That came after he suffered yet another significant injury as a foot ailment in the second game of the season shut him down for the rest of the campaign. It placed question marks around his future with Carolina as he had seen his last two seasons end prematurely due to injury.
Newton had continued to voice his desire to stay with the Panthers. Still, that mindset wasn’t mutually shared as the team made their intentions clear about the situation with the signing of Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million deal. Carolina attempted to trade Newton, but no team wanted to facilitate a trade, which included the Chicago Bears electing to acquire Nick Foles instead of him.
All that led to the Panthers electing to part ways with Newton earlier this week, which has put him in the free-agent market for the first time in his career. The 30-year-old has quickly taken that in stride and used that provide himself with more motivation.
Cam Newton’s message to his doubters
The entire process over the last few weeks has shown there is plenty of doubt in Newton ahead of the 2020 season. There is a considerable amount of concern with his health, given his track record with several injuries throughout his career.
Newton has taken all that dialogue in stride to push him forward toward proving those doubters wrongs. In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Pro Bowler sent a personal message to those believing that his best days are behind him.
“People love a good underdog story. This ain’t that. Sh**, I been a dog.”
The former league MVP has hit a new challenge in his career where he has to prove his ability on the field. His first nine years showed that he is a game-changing factor under center, but there are injury concerns at the tail end of that stretch. That is something that Newton has to prove that those doubts are unwarranted and that he can still be a franchise quarterback.
That may be the case around him, but all he needs next is that chance to prove he can be that for another team.
Where will Cam Newton play next?
The lingering question that remains around Newton concerns where he will play next in the NFL.
There hasn’t been a big market for his services as a few teams are looking for a proven quarterback to right the ship. That shortlist included the Bears, but with their acquisition of Foles, it puts them out of the market.
Meanwhile, the likes of the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots remain in the picture. There is a belief that the Patriots will give second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham to prove that he can be a viable starting quarterback. All of that seemingly points to the Chargers being the last logical choice for Newton.
The Chargers are expected to take a quarterback with the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft but have a team that can win now. Newton could fit right into the mix as the starter while they groom their young talent. However, this entire process may take some time due to teams’ inability to give players physical due to concerns over the coronavirus.
Nonetheless, it may just be a matter of time before Newton has a new home in the NFL this offseason.
