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- Cam Newton is reportedly exploring a potential return to Carolina
- The Panthers are meeting with the quarterback after Sam Darnold failed to live up to expectations
- Read more NFL news here
After being selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton quickly established himself as one of the most formidable quarterbacks in the league before subsequently unestablishing himself as one of the most formidable quarterbacks in the league, which ultimately led to the team opting to go in a new direction following the 2020 season.
That decision didn’t work out particularly well for anyone involved, as Newton failed to make much of a mark during his brief stint with the Patriots and Teddy Bridgewater left plenty to be desired as his replacement in Carolina. When the current season kicked off, the former found himself without a job after New England handed the starting job to Mac Jones, while the latter found a new home in Denver after the Panthers chose to put their faith in Sam Darnold following a trade with the Jets.
It’s safe to say the Sam Darnold Experiment did not pan out as hoped, as the QB posted some absolutely dismal numbers before suffering a shoulder injury last week that will keep him sidelined for at least a month.
Sam Darnold has thrown 160 passes over the past five games.
373 QB have thrown at least 160 passes in a season over the past decade. His stretch would rank:
372nd in Y/A
371st in TD%
370th in INT%It almost literally cannot get worse.
— Chris Towers is the Riley Greene Preservation Soc (@CTowersCBS) November 10, 2021
Now, it appears things have come full circle, as Jonathan Alexander reports multiple sources have confirmed Newton is meeting with the Panthers on Thursday to discuss a potential return to Carolina.
BIG BREAKING NEWS: Cam Newton will meet with quarterback-needy Carolina Panthers, per three sources https://t.co/2PsYiQLJvs
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) November 11, 2021
As you’d expect, the news generated plenty of great reactions from fans.
Cam Newton when the Panthers called pic.twitter.com/lSFRqssSo0
— Art Of Drinks (@OBLpost) November 11, 2021
Panthers fans blowing the dust off their Cam Newton jerseys when they dig them out of storage https://t.co/bmedHOzETF pic.twitter.com/fBFF3aDExW
— Julian Sadur (@JulianSadurTV) November 11, 2021
Cam Newton back in a Panthers huddle pic.twitter.com/3D84HAa6D6
— Razzball (@Razzball) November 11, 2021
cam newton waiting for lamelo ball to give him his Charlotte apartment back pic.twitter.com/5fwGO90aCD
— BigBorregoBrand (@BigBorregoBrand) November 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/CaptainFerg/status/1458819058531545088
https://twitter.com/iam_johnw2/status/1458821541773422593
Cam Newton pulling up to the Panthers Facility Like…. pic.twitter.com/JOvYYkf26I
— Willie Colon (@willcolon66) November 11, 2021
As things currently stand, P. J. Walker is poised to get the start against the Cardinals on Sunday, but it’s hard to imagine he’ll remain the primary option in the pocket for much longer if Newton does indeed make his grand return.