Cam Newton recently called out his team the Carolina Panthers after the front office said he was free to look elsewhere to play.
On the Panthers’ website, it says that General manager Marty Hurney sat down with Newton, as well as his reps, and talked about him leaving the team after playing with the Panthers for nine years.
“The Panthers on Tuesday gave quarterback Cam Newton permission to seek a trade,” it says in the news category on the team’s website.
Newton responded in the comments section of a Panthers’ Instagram post and said leaving the team wasn’t his idea; he called it a front-office decision.
“Stop with the word play,” he wrote. “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 on May 11, had to undergo several surgeries on his throwing shoulder in recent years and only played two games in 2019 after fracturing his left foot during the preseason.
He started with the Panthers in 2011 and made the Pro Bowl three times. He was also the NFL’s MVP in 2015 and took the Panthers to the Super Bowl that year, where they lost to the Denver Broncos.
“Cam is one of the all-time greats in Panthers history,” said team owner David Tepper in a statement. “If you ask any of our fans for some of their most memorable moments, I’m willing to bet that most of them would include Cam — electrifying plays, giving away footballs after touchdowns, fun celebrations and big wins. His competitiveness and drive are rare.”
He added, “Off the field, you can’t measure Cam’s contributions. He has touched the lives of youth throughout the Carolinas and in Atlanta. He’s unique and I wish him all the best.”
According to ESPN, the Panthers have agreed to a deal with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was a free agent. Bridgewater will be signed to a three-year deal for $63 million.
