Cam Newton has never shied away from speaking his mind, and this week he made headlines again after expressing frustration that Philip Rivers was given another opportunity in the NFL before he was.
NFL Drama: Cam Newton Unhappy About Phillip Rivers Situation
Newton, the 2015 MVP and one of the most physically dominant quarterbacks of his era, has been out of the league since 2022 despite repeatedly stating he is healthy, motivated, and ready to contribute. With the 44-year-old Rivers signing late in the 2025 season to help stabilize an injury-ridden Colts team, Newton’s reaction reignited a long-running debate about how teams view veteran quarterbacks and what goes into those late-season emergency calls.
Cam Newton says he felt disrespected that the Colts signed 44-year-old grandfather Philip Rivers before even calling him 😳
Should Indy have reached out to 36-year-old Super Cam? 👀
(Via @4thand1show) pic.twitter.com/u2CV9T2Big
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 11, 2025
On this week’s episode of his podcast 4th & 1 With Cam Newton, the former Panthers quarterback addressed the news that Rivers was returning to the league. Based on his comments, he feels like he should have been the one to get a call:
“It’s almost like a slap in my face, bro, I ain’t going to lie.”
Newton was also quick to point out that he has not officially announced any retirement, and says that he still works out in hopes that he’ll one day be considered for a roster spot.
Newton Feels He Deserves Another Shot
For Newton, the sting lies not in Rivers getting an opportunity, but in what it represents. Rivers is 44 years old, hasn’t played a snap in several seasons, and had transitioned fully into high-school coaching. Yet the moment the Colts lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending injury, they reached out to Rivers rather than exploring Newton, who has kept himself in game shape and has actively campaigned for another shot.
ESPN Sources: 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who has not played in the NFL since the 2020 COVID season, is signing to the QB-needy Indianapolis Colts practice squad. pic.twitter.com/oOIVQEY38x
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2025
Newton has long argued that he is unfairly perceived as a “distraction,” a label he believes has overshadowed his career accomplishments. His frustration grew after several teams passed on him during the past few seasons while signing quarterbacks with less pedigree and less proven upside.
Now, with Rivers getting a second chance, those feelings have been reignited.
Rivers’ signing, of course, had less to do with flash or upside and more to do with familiarity. He already knows the Colts’ system, and he provides a steady hand in a playoff race. But that explanation hasn’t softened the blow for Newton, who feels he deserved at least a workout or a conversation.
