While a great quarterback shuffle could be on the horizon, one big name appears to be staying put.
Well, at least for the time being.
The latest from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport:
A lot can still happen in the coming months, but as of now, the #Panthers are moving forward with Cam Newton as their starting QB, sources say. While his foot is healing well, it will be several months until it’s game-ready — a timeline that complicates any potential trade.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2020
Sources have informed Rapoport that the Carolina Panthers are sticking with Cam Newton as their quarterback. Rapoport cautions that things could always change, but it seems as though a change of heart will come only if the foot injury that ended Newton’s season is healed to the point where any possible deal can be consummated.
Newton’s future has been complicated since a foot injury took him out of action after Week 2. Kyle Allen took the gig and ran with it in the early going, making it look like Newton’s time in Carolina was coming to an end. At the crossroads of the height of Allen’s play and the bottoming out of Mitch Trubisky’s season, a report surfaced that Newton “would welcome” a trade to the Bears. A veteran quarterback with an MVP pedigree taking over under center in Chicago was a dream scenario while watching Trubisky struggle, but cold water has since been thrown on those dreams. And even if Newton was made available, the cost of doing business is expected to be steep. But if Newton isn’t going to be healthy for a while, then I’m not sure how much sense it would have made to push to acquire a quarterback with one year (and a $21.1 million cap charge) left on his deal who has been slowed by injuries in recent years.
Previously, Panthers owner David Tepper has said there isn’t much to talk about regarding Newton’s future until he is given a medical green light. Until then, the Panthers and Newton seem to be sticking together. And if it is going to be another “several months” until Newton is “game-ready” then future trade possibilities are going to be complicated. Even still, we’ll continue to monitor the situation, because perhaps Newton could be one clean bill of health away from being on the move.