The Panthers announced that Cam Newton could seek a trade, but he says they’re pushing him out, which will be huge motivation for him.
On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers stated they are giving Cam Newton permission to seek a trade. The news made it seem like the desire came from Newton’s side, but after the Panthers official Instagram posted about the news, Newton responded accusing them of pushing him out.
Breaking: Cam Newton says he never asked for a trade from the #Panthers, it came from the team. pic.twitter.com/Ium6IjIpew
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 17, 2020
Newton made it clear that he loves “the Panthers to death and will always” love them. He accused the team of trying to “manipulate the narrative act like (he) wanted this.”
It’s clear Newton did not want this trade, which means he will likely have a huge chip on his shoulder to keep him motivated and make Carolina regret getting rid of him.
Newton has struggled in recent years with injuries, and last season he only played two games before sitting out the rest of the season to have foot surgery.
Before the injury trouble, Newton was one of the top passers in the league. He was the MVP in 2015, leading his team to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance. His big arm and ability to move outside of the pocket made him especially difficult to defend.
He might have to reinvent his game to play long term, though. Becoming a smarter passer, knowing when to go down and not take a hit, and knowing the best times to take off and run would help keep Newton healthier.
Newton could learn a lot from how a quarterback like Russell Wilson has transitioned to being a smarter and better passer while still having his athleticism as an option. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are younger examples of quarterbacks who are incredibly talented athletes who can also lean on the pass.
Although those three all have slightly different playing styles, Newton can adapt his style to fit more into a new scheme and under a new coach while also making sure to take care of himself and be the best he can be for his team.
Regardless where he ends up, Newton will be motivated and ready to compete.