Quarterback Cam Newton has remained a free agent since the Patriots surprisingly parted ways with him ahead of the 2021 NFL season.
Many have assumed that Newton remains unsigned because no teams have pursued him. However, the veteran quarterback claimed in an episode of “Funky Fridays with Cam Newton” that there are teams that want to sign him.
“I’m just waiting on the right opportunity,” Newton said. “You’re probably asking yourself, ‘Don’t nobody want Cam.’ That’s a lie. I’ve been getting offers . . . it has to be right.”
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It’s unclear exactly what the “right opportunity” would be for Newton, but the former Panthers and Patriots quarterback has been a starter for all of his decade-long career. He has started 139 games of the 140 he has played; he played 98 percent of the snaps in his one non-start, as he was benched for the opening snap after violating the Panthers’ dress code.
As such, it wouldn’t be surprising if Newton is looking for a place where he can eventually compete as a starter. He may not be able to do that in 2021, but he could opt to sign on with a team that is looking for a starting quarterback and compete for a full-time starting job in 2022. Teams like the Giants, Falcons, Lions and Washington Football Team could all make sense for Newton.
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Regardless of what he’s looking for, it will be easier for Newton to sign with any team. He confirmed that he is now vaccinated. He explained that he initially held off because “the side effects weren’t beneficial to me” as he competed for the Patriots’ statring job with Mac Jones but opted to get it after becoming a free agent.
The NFL’s COVID protocols mandate that unvaccinated players must endure a five-day waiting period before joining the team that signs them, so Newton will no longer have to endure that if he signs somewhere. The removal of that obstacle should help Newton achieve his ultimate desire of playing in the NFL again.
“Hell yeah I still want to play football,” Newton said. “I still get that urge to go out and perform and do something that I’ve been doing since I was 7 years old.”