Carolina Panthers say they’re open to return of Cam Newton, who’s weighing choices for subsequent season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers have not dominated out re-signing quarterback Cam Newton, however the 2015 NFL MVP is exploring different choices.

“I’ve groups which are curious about signing me,” Newton instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter in a textual content. “I’m ready on the most effective match because it pertains to profitable a championship and getting a good likelihood to play.”

Newton led the Panthers to an NFL-best 15-1 regular-season report and a Tremendous Bowl look in 2015. He has gone 30-36 because the starter since, 13-23 the previous 4 seasons after shoulder and foot accidents diminished his effectiveness.

He went 7-Eight because the starter in New England in 2020 after Carolina launched the three-time Professional Bowl choice earlier than Matt Rhule’s first season as head coach.

The Panthers re-signed Newton late final season after starter Sam Darnold went on injured reserve. He went 0-5 because the starter and was changed by Darnold within the last recreation.

Rhule has been involved with Newton because the finish of the season.

“I like Cam Newton,” Rhule stated on Tuesday on the NFL homeowners assembly in South Florida. “He is an incredible chief. He is an incredible soccer participant. The whole lot we do must be proper for the group, proper for him.”

It is nonetheless unclear whether or not Newton, who turns 33 in Could, will wish to return to a Carolina staff that has gone 10-23 in Rhule’s first two seasons and hasn’t had a profitable report since 2018.

“It isn’t simply us saying, ‘Hey, Cam, come on again,”’ common supervisor Scott Fitterer stated final week. “He is bought to wish to come again. He is bought to love the function, the scenario. It is actually only a match for each of us.

“The door is open. I would like to have somebody along with his management, his toughness. He introduced a lot to his staff final yr and stabilized us throughout a extremely onerous time. He is a extremely particular individual.”

Whereas Fitterer and Rhule left the door open for Newton to compete for a beginning spot, their focus is on getting Darnold to enhance on his 4-7 report final season. Fitterer stated final week that the 2018 No. three draft decide is the chief for the job now.

Rhule stated Tuesday he expects Darnold to indicate “important enchancment” this season.

Rhule and Fitterer stated the Panthers wish to add one other quarterback to the roster alongside Darnold and P.J. Walker. They have not dominated out signing one in free company, buying and selling for one or utilizing the sixth decide of the draft on one.

They spent final week on the professional days of Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis and Mississippi’s Matt Corral. Whereas draft analysts have referred to as this a weak quarterback class, Rhule believes “a type of quarterbacks will likely be a top-10 decide.”

Rhule additionally made it clear Carolina is not “locked in” on a quarterback for the sixth decide despite the fact that Fitterer says one of the best ways to construct a staff is round a younger quarterback, just because it’s more cost effective.

Newton wouldn’t be a long-term answer, and he must decide how shut Carolina is to turning into a playoff and championship contender. In the meantime, he is spending the offseason exploring his choices and specializing in new enterprise alternatives.

Time beyond regulation, which launched the Time beyond regulation Elite basketball league final yr, is partnering with Newton on a brand new 7-on-7 soccer league referred to as OT7.

“The door remains to be open for us,” Fitterer stated. “We’re very open to Cam. He is aware of the place we stand. We’ll see the place it goes.”