Carolina Panthers Release Cam Newton

One week ago, the Carolina Panthers announced that they had given permission to quarterback Cam Newton to speak with other teams in order to help facilitate a trade. Newton quickly responded that there was nothing mutual about the Panthers decision o move on from the former number one overall pick:

After being unable to find a partner to deal Newton, Carolina opted to take another route in distancing themselves from Newton. The team announced that they are releasing him today:

Newton spent nine seasons in Carolina. He made the Pro Bowl three times and was named the MVP of the league in 2015 when he helped the Panthers amass a 15-1 record during the regular season and led them all the way to the Super Bowl. He leaves Carolina as the leader in several statistical categories:

This offseason, Carolina has brought in Teddy Bridgewater and former XFL quarterback P.J. Walker to fill out their QB room for 2020 and beyond.

For Newton, he might end up being the odd man out of a radical quarterback carousel. The New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers haven’t replaced Tom Brady or Philip Rivers yet but both franchises are putting the word out that they are satisfied with the players that they have on their rosters currently.

With Newton being on the open market, rather than having to give up draft compensation, it will be interesting to see if either team changes their mind or if another team that was previously deemed quarterback-needy (looking at you Chicago) decides to bring him in on a one-year prove-it type of contract.