Cam Newton: The three criteria the Panthers met to land him

Cam Newton’s return to the Carolina Panthers has been the talk of the NFL in recent days. But Newton isn’t looking for a Cinderella story. When addressing the media for the first time since signing his new deal, Newton said that he had three criteria when it came to choosing a new team. The Panthers checked all three boxes.

“When you thought about the question, you asked yourself personally what are you looking (for) in a team,” Newton said when asked why he came back to the Panthers. “One of them, not in no particular order, is are they a contender? Number two is do you have a realistic opportunity to be so late in the season to compete. And number three, what’s the skill set around so you can show your talents as well. Check, check, check. It was a no-brainer. And obviously there’s the added dimension with the familiarity here.”

Newton: Return to Panthers is ‘to win football games’

Newton made one thing clear when talking to the media. He’s not here for the storyline. There is obviously history between Newton and the team. But he is coming back with one goal in mind – to win.

“But once again, I get to the point of everybody wants to make it about Cam’s back. You know why I’m here. This ain’t for no ploy, this ain’t for no ticket sales, this ain’t for no Cinderella story. It’s to win football games. And that’s pretty much what’s on my heart and that’s how I’m going about it.”

Newton’s return to the Panthers was made possible by an injury to Sam Darnold, who began the year as Carolina’s starting quarterback. Darnold has a shoulder injury and was recently placed on injured reserve. He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

Darnold has seen serious struggles in recent weeks. When he returns, he might not have a starting job to come back to. The Panthers gave Newton a one-year contract that will pay him up to $10 million. Newton’s new deal includes $4.5 million fully guaranteed and a $1.5 million roster bonus. That would be a lot of money for a backup. Newton wouldn’t have come back without an opportunity to play, and he is likely to get that opportunity very soon.

Newton played 125 games with the Panthers to begin his NFL career. The former 2011 first overall pick out of Auburn threw for 31,698 yards, 190 touchdowns, and 118 interceptions in his first stint in Carolina. He also established himself as a dominant runner, rushing for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Newton isn’t the same player that he used to be, but he showed last year that he is still capable of producing. He was inconsistent as a passer with the Patriots, throwing for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and ten interceptions. But he also had 592 yards on the ground with 12 rushing touchdowns.

P.J. Walker is likely to start for the Panthers on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. But Newton will undoubtedly be seeing the field soon. His return has brought a lot of energy back to the Panthers fan base. The Panthers currently sit at 4-5 on the season and are in last place in the NFC South. But with the wildcard spots wide open right now, the playoffs are definitely still possible in Carolina. And that is Newton’s goal.