Ben Margot/Associated Press The Carolina Panthers granted quarterback Cam Newton permission to seek a trade Tuesday, but The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue reported Thursday that the organization might have to release the 2015 NFL MVP.
"League sources said the Panthers and Cam Newton's camp are having a hard time trying to trade the former MVP," Rodrigue wrote. "Multiple sources expect he's going to be released very soon. Team won't carry both Newton and [Teddy] Bridgewater; latter trying to get physical taken care of. After that..."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Panthers agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract with Bridgewater on Tuesday. The deal can't be officially completed until the 27-year-old passes a physical, but that may have to wait because of the coronavirus pandemic:
Newton voiced his frustration with how his Panthers tenure ended, saying on Instagram that he "never asked" for a trade:
In January, the 30-year-old quarterback seemed confident that his future was in Carolina:
Panthers owner David Tepper seemed to foreshadow that a divorce was forthcoming, though, when he voiced concerns about Newton's health following a Lisfranc injury in his left foot that limited him to two regular-season games:
Newton was linkedto the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers earlier this week. However, the Bears acquiredNick Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Schefter, while NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Chargers "are not expected sign or trade for a veteran QB."
Injuries have hampered the 2011 top overall pick in recent years. Newton underwent surgery on his right shoulder in January 2019, which was preceded by a procedure to repair the rotator cuff in his same shoulder in March 2017.
Overall, Newton has thrown for 29,041 yards, 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions while completing 59.6 percent of his passes across 125 games (124 starts). He has also rushed for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns while leading the Panthers to 68-55-1 record.
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