Former NFL MVP Cam Newton last played in the league during the 2021 season. However, that hasn’t stopped media members from speculating a return by the 11-year pro. On Tuesday, the former first overall pick, alongside former NFL standout Brandon Marshall, joined NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. Marshall, who transitioned to media after his phenomenal playing days, alongside the cast of GMFB, asked Newton if he is willing to return to the NFL.
Newton emphatically said he plans to stay in his current residence of Atlanta, meaning the Falcons would be the only team to pull him back into the league. The Falcons remain linked to former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who coached Newton for one season in 2020.
Will @CameronNewton ever get back in the pads?
There's *one* team he'd do it for 👀 pic.twitter.com/oidqwSkUbU
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 23, 2024
Cam Newton: Struggled Towards End of His Career
Newton, the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, dominated with the Auburn Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy Award and a BCS National Championship before joining the Carolina Panthers. He earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, tossing 21 touchdowns while running for 14. Newton posted career numbers in 2015, throwing for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns, and ten picks. He also ran for 636 yards and ten scores while leading the NFL in game-winning drives. Newton won MVP and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, an eventual loss to the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning.
Newton’s struggle began shortly after, throwing just 19 touchdowns to 14 picks the following season. The six-foot-six, 245-pound quarterback never posted a 2:1 TD-to-INT ratio again after 2015. After an injury shorted 2019 season, Carolina released the signal-caller. He signed with the New England Patriots the following season but continued to struggle, throwing eight touchdowns against ten picks. He returned to Carolina in 2021, throwing for 684 yards and four touchdowns with five picks in eight games.
Atlanta Falcons: Only Team for Cam Newton
Newton said he would only return to the NFL if he could play for the Atlanta Falcons. Newton last played in 2021, but a contract with Atlanta could reunite him with Bill Belichick, his coach during his one-year with New England. However, the pairing seems unlikely with Newton’s late career struggles and Atlanta’s linking with Belichick losing steam. The Falcons could select a quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft. Second-year pro Desmond Ridder labored this season, throwing for 2,836 yards and 12 touchdowns against 12 picks. Atlanta could also sign a free-agent quarterback to help shore up the offense.
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