The Carolina Panthers are expected to release quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Newton’s expected exit from the team after nine seasons isn’t unexpected.
Carolina agreed to a three-year, $63 million deal with free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this offseason, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Panthers also traded Kyle Allen to the Washington Redskins and signed P.J. Walker out of the XFL on Monday.
At the same time, the Panthers gave Newton permission to seek a trade, although the QB responded by saying he didn’t ask for that.
“Stop with the word play. I never asked for it,” he commented on social media. “There is no dodging this one. I love the Panthers to death and will always love you guys. Please do not try and play me or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this. You forced me into this.”
Newton, who will turn 31 in May, continues to rehab from foot surgery that was performed in December. His rehab has gone well and a league source told ESPN that he was on track to fully participate in a June minicamp before the coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to suspend offseason programs.
He was the NFL MVP in 2015 when he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, a 24-10 loss to Denver. The Panthers have been to the playoffs only once since then, a wild-card loss to the Saints in 2017.
Newton, who holds most of Carolina’s career passing records, missed 14 games last season with the Lisfranc injury and the final two games of the 2018 season with a shoulder injury that also required surgery.
ESPN’s David Newton contributed to this report.
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