Things are really starting to move and shake in the NFL, but the chaos with the Carolina Panthers remains the same. On the same day that Tom Brady said he was done in New England and Drew Brees returned to New Orleans, the Panthers revealed that they’re allowing Cam Newton to seek a trade. The only problem is, the veteran signal-caller says he never once asked for it.
After playing very little last year and a complete upheaval of the team’s coaching staff, speculation was high that Newton was on his way out of Carolina. Nothing official had been said, but the strong crop of free agent quarterbacks only added to the rumors.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers took to their official Instagram to say that they have given Newton the permission to seek a trade.
That seems simple enough and it is exactly what many people expected with the start of the new league year. The only thing is that Newton is saying the team is accusing him of something he never even did.
The Panthers made the Instagram post around 11:30 A.M., and about 30 minutes later, an obviously unhappy Newton commented on it.
“Stop with the word play!! I never asked for it!! 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!! Love”
New head coach Matt Rhule has already seen Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and Pro Bowl right guard Trai Turner out the door. It appears he also wants to start his first season with the Panthers with a new quarterback at the helm.
Newton missed almost the 2019-2020 season with a foot injury. Kyle Allen served as the primary starter for the team and was just re-signed to a new deal last week.
Elsewhere in the NFL, Teddy Bridgewater is on his way out of New Orleans, with Drew Brees agreeing to a new deal. As a matter of fact, Bridgewater has found a new home in Carolina with a three-year deal that will lock him in as the starter for the Panthers. Tom Brady and a host of others are free agents looking for new homes, and Carolina now has a major opening on their offense.
Judging from his respons, NFL MVP Cam Newton, 30, would have been happy to guide the Panthers again as their quarterback.