The Carolina Panthers, losers in five of their last six games, are somehow just one game back of an NFC wild card spot. And although their experiment with the now-injured Sam Darnold hasn't gone according to plan, they'll soon trust an old, familiar face to hold down the fort for the foreseeable future.
On Thursday, the Panthers announced that they signed veteran free agent and former franchise quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed. The 32-year-old will likely get his first start next week, when Carolina faces the Washington Football Team, led by Newton's former head coach, Ron Rivera. Call it a reunion.
"I'm ecstatic, just like the fanbase. Everybody's happy to see him back home in Charlotte, and it's a move I knew they needed to make," former team safety Tre Boston told The Zach Gelb Show on Friday. "He has a lot to prove, but he has a lot left. This season, they have a beat-up offensive line, but this is an audition, for him to go on with a few teams that need QB's next year as well...
"It's all about winning ballgames. So, if Cam can come in here and find a way to get these guys into the playoffs, I don't see how he goes elsewhere. I think it's a perfect fit... I think these guys can really [make the playoffs]. I've spoken with a few of their guys, and I think if they can pull out four wins out of these last eight games, four wins will get them into the playoffs..."
Newton, who was selected first overall by Carolina back in 2011, was released by the team following the 2019 campaign due to struggles with shoulder and foot injuries. The 2015 MVP spent last season with the New England Patriots, and threw for 2,657 yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 15 games.
This past August, the Patriots released Newton, after they named first-round rookie quarterback Mac Jones their starter. Newton missed three practices in training camp due to a "misunderstanding" with COVID-19 safety protocols, but head coach Bill Belichick told reporters that Newton's vaccination status didn't factor into his departure. In October, Newton said he got vaccinated.
Carolina (4-5), is expected to start P.J. Walker on Sunday in a road matchup against the Arizona Cardinals (8-1). According to FiveThirtyEight's projections, the Panthers currently have just a 12-percent chance to reach the playoffs.
The entire Panthers conversation between Boston and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.