Cam Newton has been struggling with injuries, and his time with the Carolina Panthers could be done. Where could he wind up in 2020?
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly placing quarterback and former league MVP Cam Newton on injured reserve, ending his 2019 season and possibly his tenure with the team.
When he’s fully healthy, Newton is one of the best and most exciting offensive weapons in the NFL, capable of taking over games with his arm and legs.
The unfortunate reality is, Newton is — at least these days — rarely fully healthy. He’s struggled with shoulder issues, now a foot issue, and the Panthers have obviously had an urgency to get him back on the field until the 2019 emergence of Kyle Allen.
The option of returning in 2019 is apparently still on the table if the Panthers can find their way into the playoff mix, but it’s more likely that Newton going on IR is a set in stone kind of thing and that he’s not playing for the team again this season.
Or maybe ever again.
Cam Newton goes on IR. Year in Carolina is over and potentially more. He has one year remaining on his contract and if #Panthers trade or release him after this year they get a cap savings of $19.1 million!!! Big decision to make on one of the league’s biggest stars
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 5, 2019
If Adam Schefter and Jay Glazer are leading us to believe the Panthers are seriously considering moving on from Cam Newton after this season, it’s probably a good idea to listen.
If the Panthers want to trade Newton, it’s going to be tough with $19.1 million on the books. If they release him outright and let him pick his new team, he could burn them by picking a division rival.
I’m sure plenty of teams would have interest in Newton if the Panthers made him available, but which teams would we expect to be the most aggressive?
Let’s take a look at five, in no particular order.