Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers picked up a statement win Sunday, besting the Arizona Cardinals 34-10 on the road. The victory put the team at .500 and has it right back in the hunt for the NFC South crown.

Cam Newton may not have been the sole catalyst behind the blowout victory over the Kyler Murray- and DeAndre Hopkins-less Cardinals, but the recently signed quarterback played a key role in beating a shorthanded foe that his team could not afford to lose to.

The team picked up Newton last week after starting quarterback Sam Darnold went down with a severe shoulder injury. While the incomplete fracture of Darnold's scapula on his throwing shoulder may only need a month to recover, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Carolina is treating it as a season-ending injury.

That mindset prompted the club to dole out starter-tier money for Newton. Despite being unsigned since his preseason release by the New England Patriots, the 10-year veteran received $6 million in guarantees with the potential to make up to $10 million if Carolina reaches the postseason.

With that contract comes the expectation that Newton will not only make the Panthers competitive enough to accomplish that goal but also potentially remain a contender with him at the helm in 2022.

After Newton orchestrated a pair of touchdowns on his first two plays since rejoining the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2011, the Panthers appear to be on the right track.

Although Newton didn't draw the start in his first game back, he did replace starter P.J. Walker for nine of the team's 75 offensive snaps.   

Newton made his debut during Carolina's opening drive, punching in a two-yard score to give the team a lead it would not relinquish. The second score came on the Panthers' following drive when he found wideout Robby Anderson on a two-yard strike.

While Newton only finished the day with three completions on four attempts for eight yards along with 14 rushing yards on three carries, his promising play should have the Panthers well positioned to compete once he assumes the starting role.

That could come as early as Sunday, when Carolina hosts the Washington Football Team at Bank of America Stadium. While Washington is coming off an impressive win over the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this contest is winnable for the Panthers.

The WFT's passing defense has been especially vulnerable, allowing 279.3 yards per game (the third-most in the NFL) and 22 touchdowns (second-most). It's a perfect chance for Newton to get into a rhythm after not starting a game since Jan. 3.

With soft matchups against the Miami Dolphins (3-7) and Atlanta Falcons (4-5) on deck, Carolina is poised to head into mid-December with an 8-5 record.

The road gets tougher at that point. The Panthers must face the Buffalo Bills (6-3) before a divisional slate that includes two matchups in three weeks against the Bucs and a showdown with the New Orleans Saints (5-4). But even splitting those matchups could be good enough to reach the postseason at 10-7.

The NFC is top-heavy at the midpoint of the campaign, but the NFC South is lacking a clear-cut favorite. Not only are the Panthers a game ahead in the race for the final wild-card spot but also only trail the Saints for the No. 6 seed by a half-game and are just 1.5 games behind Tampa at the top of the division.

Carolina's wideouts are surely excited about Newton's potential to lift the offense into playoff form.

The receiving corps—which includes standout talent in D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and rookie Terrace Marshall Jr.—has been solid if unspectacular this season. Carolina's passing offense ranks 28th in the league. The receivers should reach new heights with Newton keeping defenses honest, as well as a healthy Christian McCaffrey back on the field.

No player will see a bigger boost from Newton's return than McCaffrey. The superstar running back has been plagued by injuries recently, missing 13 games last year and five already this season. 

But since coming off injured reserve two weeks ago, McCaffrey has recorded over 100 yards from scrimmage in each contest, including a 161-yard outing Sunday. While the 25-year-old back has been effective without Newton, he hasn't been as elite as he was in 2019, Newton's final season in his first stint with the Panthers.

The Stanford product was scintillating that year, piling up 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns on 287 carries and 1,005 yards and four scores on 116 receptions.

McCaffrey can lead this offense if he's healthy, making Newton's job much easier than it was in New England when he was asked to carry a team that lacked offensive weapons of McCaffrey's caliber. 

The Panthers are sure to get plenty of support on the other side of the ball too.

Carolina's defense has been one of the league's best this season, holding foes to a mere 280.7 yards per game, the second-best mark in the NFL. Opponents are averaging just 19.3 points against Carolina, putting the squad ahead of all but five teams heading into Week 11.

While the run defense has some room to improve—it is giving up 107 yards per game, ranking No. 12—the front has been able to keep rushers out of the end zone, allowing only eight touchdowns all season.

Carolina's ability to shut down the pass is what makes this defense such a force. It is by far the league's stingiest, conceding just 173.7 yards per game.

It is an especially impressive feat considering the club acquired both CJ Henderson and Stephon Gilmore in the midst of the season after losing first-round cornerback Jaycee Horn for an extended stretch.

The pass rush has been ferocious as well, amassing 27 sacks (tied for the fourth-most). Carolina's sack rate of 8.2 percent trails only the Minnesota Vikings' rate of 8.3.

Brian Burns has recorded six sacks in 10 games while evolving into one of the game's best edge-rushers in his third season. Offseason signing Haason Reddick has become one of the top QB hunters out there, with his 9.5 sacks leading the team and checking in as the fourth-most in the league.

Considering the Bucs just became the latest team to ride an unstoppable pass rush to a Super Bowl victory, the Panthers have every reason to believe they can emulate the success of their divisional rival.

While Newton may not be on the same level as Tom Brady, at his best, he's a dynamic dual-threat talent, and defenses still have to allocate resources to stop him from carving them up on the ground. 

If the Panthers can turn it on down the stretch, they'll have a real chance to make some noise and go on a run in potentially their first postseason since the 2017 season. 

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton will take the majority of first-team reps this week, head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Monday.

Newton, who rejoined the Panthers last week, was on the field in special packages for Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. He threw for a touchdown and rushed for another while putting up 22 total yards in the 34-10 blowout at State Farm Stadium. 

"No disrespect to them, but I'm just floating at an all-time high frequency. It's almost scary," Newton told reporters after the game.

P.J. Walker started at quarterback and held his own, throwing for 167 yards and an interception while completing 22 of 29 passes. That said, Walker is clearly not a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. It was telling that the Panthers continually went to Newton in the red zone, the most important area of the field, despite him barely practicing with the team.

The Panthers' win moved them to 5-5, and they are firmly in both the NFC South and wild-card races. They would be the No. 7 seed if the season ended after Week 10.

Newton's one-year contract has a maximum value of $10 million. The Panthers did not sign him to hold a clipboard the remainder of the year. His mission is to lead Carolina back to the playoffs, a feat he's pulled off four times in his NFL career.

While Newton will have a lot of catching up to do with the Panthers playbook, the only way to get him ready is with the maximum possible reps. If he looks even 75 percent of the way there, look for him to start next week against Washington.

Bill Belichick was happy to see Cam Newton succeed in his return to the NFL more than two months after the quarterback was released by the New England Patriots. 

The Pats head coach discussed Newton's Week 10 performance and more Monday on The Greg Hill Show:

"It was great when they signed him," Belichick said of Newton joining the Carolina Panthers. "Sounds like he had a great day yesterday. Always happy for Cam. Appreciate everything he did. He was a wonderful guy to coach and be around."

Newton started 15 games for the Patriots last season and re-signed with the team in March, but the veteran was released before Week 1 after rookie Mac Jones won the starting job.

Newton remained unsigned until a Sam Darnold injury opened the opportunity for a reunion with the Panthers, where the quarterback spent the first nine years of his career.

The 32-year-old recorded a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in his first game back Sunday, helping Carolina earn a 34-10 win over the Kyler Murray-less Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Murray was inactive with an ankle injury.

While Belichick was complimentary of Newton, he wasn't as forthcoming when asked about the Patriots' interest in Odell Beckham Jr.

"We worked hard to prepare for Cleveland, and we're gonna work hard to prepare for Atlanta," the coach responded. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Patriots were one of several teams to make an offer to Beckham after the receiver was waived by the Cleveland Browns. The three-time Pro Bowler eventually signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

Cam Newton was already a Carolina Panthers legend long before he decided to come back this season, but he added to his legacy with the team during Sunday's 34-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

"You can't even make up a lie this good," he told Fox Sports' Sara Walsh after running for a touchdown and throwing for another while working into the quarterback rotation alongside starter P.J. Walker.

"I'm just happy to be back, happy to be a contributor to a team that's already good, we're just trying to get over the hump... Keep pounding."@CameronNewton joined @Sara_Walsh after scoring two touchdowns in his return to the @panthers! 💪 pic.twitter.com/OV47bVg3oB

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 15, 2021

While Walker was the starter, Carolina turned to Newton in short-yardage situations and during opportunities by the goal line. He rewarded the team with his two touchdowns on its opening two possessions while powering his way through tacklers like he did so often in his prime.

That prime happened in Carolina after the Panthers selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011.

He remained with the NFC South team through the 2019 campaign and amassed an impressive resume that included the Offensive Rookie of the Year, a league MVP, three Pro Bowl nods, an All-Pro selection and a Super Bowl appearance.

CAM NEWTON TD. HE’S BACK. 👏

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/2DIyYQGH3T

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2021

Cam Newton today: 2 snaps, 2 TDs

What. A. Return.

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/5gHWuO5tk7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2021

His ability to beat defenses with his arm and legs made him nearly unstoppable when he was at his best, although the Panthers released him after he appeared in just two games in 2019. He joined the New England Patriots for the 2020 campaign but struggled on his way to eight touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.

New England released him prior to the 2021 season after turning to rookie quarterback Mac Jones as the franchise signal-caller to build around, and he remained without a team until the Panthers brought him back before Sunday's game with Sam Darnold sidelined by a shoulder injury.

Newton took full advantage of the immediate opportunity the Panthers provided and even took off his helmet to yell "I'm back" after scoring the first touchdown on the ground.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Newton start the upcoming Week 11 game against the Washington Football Team as he looks to lead the 5-5 Panthers into the playoffs in the NFC.  

Cam Newton not only has a chance to earn the starting quarterback job with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 but also in 2022, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Starter Sam Darnold suffered a shoulder injury that should sideline him for four to six weeks, but Schefter reported the Panthers are "operating as if the quarterback will not play again this season."

The team signed Newton last week to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, bringing back a player who started 124 games for the franchise from 2011 to 2019. If he plays well, he could be a favorite to hold onto the job entering next season.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network initially reported Newton will make $4.5 million guaranteed for the remainder of 2021 with up to $10 million through incentives. Schefter added the incentives are tied to team performance, with $500,000 for each playoff win and a $1.5 million bonus if Carolina reaches the Super Bowl.

However, the Panthers enter Sunday just 4-5 after losing five of their last six games.

Turnovers have cost the team in recent weeks, as Darnold had just one interception during the team's 3-0 start but threw 10 picks over the last six games.

Darnold is owed $18.9 million in 2022 after the team exercised his fifth-year option, but his recent play prevents him from being the clear starter going forward.

Last season with the New England Patriots, Newton threw just 10 interceptions in 15 starts while completing a respectable 65.8 percent of his passes. Though he had just eight passing touchdowns, he added 12 rushing touchdowns and 592 rushing yards.

The dual-threat ability gives the Panthers a new dimension alongside Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson.

Though the Panthers previously released Newton in 2020, the 32-year-old 2015 MVP could once again be considered the future for this franchise.     

Cam Newton has made it clear that he's not returning to the Carolina Panthers for a feel-good story. 

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Newton said it's "no ploy" that he went back to the franchise where he spent the first nine years of his career. 

"This ain't no ploy, this ain't about ticket sales or a Cinderella story. I'm here to win football games," he explained.

The Panthers announced on Thursday they agreed to terms on a deal with Newton. 

Carolina found itself in desperation mode at the quarterback position. Sam Darnold, who has been struggling with a 54.7 completion percentage and 10 interceptions in six games since Week 4, was placed on injured reserve Friday with a shoulder injury. 

The move came after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com's Chase Goodbread) reported on Tuesday that Darnold was diagnosed with a crack in his right scapula. 

Newton has been a free agent since being released by the New England Patriots on Aug. 31 as part of final roster cuts. The three-time Pro Bowler was competing with rookie Mac Jones to be the team's starter. 

P.J. Walker and Matt Barkley, who was signed off the Tennessee Titans practice squad earlier in the week, were the only other quarterbacks on Carolina's roster prior to Newton's signing. 

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters on Thursday that Walker will start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. It's unclear at this point if Newton, whose first practice will be on Friday, will even be active for the game 

Newton is arguably the greatest player in Panthers history. He led the franchise to four playoff appearances, including advancing to Super Bowl 50, and was named NFL MVP in 2015 in nine seasons from 2011-19. 

The Panthers are currently 4-5 after losing five of their past six games. They are only one-half game behind the Atlanta Falcons for the final playoff spot in the NFC.    

The Carolina Panthers officially placed quarterback Sam Darnold on injured reserve Friday because of a shoulder injury.

According to Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said earlier this week that Darnold is expected to miss four to six weeks. Placing Darnold on IR guarantees he will be out for at least the next three weeks.

P.J. Walker is in line to start at quarterback for the Panthers on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Carolina has also signed Matt Barkley and Cam Newton as insurance.

The Panthers began the season 3-0, and Darnold seemed to be trending toward becoming a quality NFL quarterback after things didn't work out with the New York Jets, but he and the Panthers as a whole have gone south since then.

Darnold is now 4-5 on the season, and he has completed just 59.5 percent of his passes for 1,986 yards, seven touchdowns and an NFL-high 11 interceptions. He has also rushed for 185 yards and a career-high five scores.

Last week marked Darnold's worst performance of the season and one of the worst of his four-year career.

In a 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots, Darnold went 16-of-33 for 172 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Darnold injured his shoulder during that game after leaving the Panthers' 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons the previous week with an unrelated shoulder ailment.

Walker, who played collegiately under Rhule at Temple, is set to make his second career NFL start Sunday. He started one game last season, completing 24 of his 34 attempts for 258 yards with one touchdown and two picks in a 20-0 win over the Detroit Lions.

Football fans perhaps know Walker best for his dominant performance in the XFL in 2020 before the league folded.

While the starting job is Walker's for now, Newton is waiting in the wings, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him take over soon.

Newton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft by the Panthers, and he spent the first nine years of his career in Carolina before getting released prior to the 2020 season.

The 32-year-old veteran struggled mightily last season as a passer with the New England Patriots, completing 65.8 percent of his passes for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Newton is an icon of sorts in Carolina, though, as he was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers and presided over the greatest season in franchise history.

He led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and took them to the Super Bowl in 2015 while also being named NFL MVP.

Newton may not be that same player any longer, but with Darnold on the shelf, he has a chance to take back the job he held for nine seasons.

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady said "everything's on the table" when it comes to quarterback Cam Newton's involvement in Sunday's Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"Excited to be able to work with him," Brady told reporters about Newton, who rejoined the Panthers on Thursday after spending the first nine years of his NFL career with the franchise. He'd been a free agent since getting released by the New England Patriots in August.

A lot has changed in Carolina since Newton's departure following the 2019 season. The team hired Matt Rhule as its head coach ahead of the 2020 campaign and he brought in Brady, who rose to prominence while guiding LSU's passing game in 2019, to lead the offensive coaching staff.

So it's not like the 32-year-old signal-caller is walking back into the same offense he led during his first stint with the team. In turn, it's more likely the Panthers will try to create some select packages for him initially rather than thrusting him into a full-time starting role in the short term.

Carolina sought quarterback depth after placing starter Sam Darnold on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He's expected to miss at least a month of action.

P.J. Walker, who's made one career NFL start, is set to take over the offense with journeyman Matt Barkley also on the active roster heading into the clash with the Cardinals.

"I'm going to just revert back to when I played in the XFL, to be honest," Walker told reporters. "I had a lot of fun, enjoyed the moment. I'm extremely excited, but when I go out there, I want to stay extremely excited, because the guys around me need that energy, need that juice, and I want to bring it on Sunday."

The 26-year-old Temple product was the early MVP favorite in the XFL before the league's second iteration was shutdown midway through the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now he's set to get his first extended look in the NFL while Darnold recovers and Newton gets up to full speed within the offensive scheme.

If Newton does see the field against Arizona, it'll likely be in short-yardage/goal-line situations.

The 2015 NFL MVP struggled as a passer with the Patriots last season, tallying eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games, but he excelled as a situational runner with 12 rushing scores.

Ultimately, Walker will probably be given a few starts to see whether he can provide a spark to the Panthers' 27th-ranked offense. If that doesn't happen, the coaching staff could swap to Newton to give him a couple games as the starter before Darnold returns from injury.

Cam Newton agreed to a contract to return to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, and the veteran quarterback appears ready to make the most of the opportunity. 

Newton posted a cinematic video on his YouTube channel later in the day to express how grateful he is to return to the team that drafted him first overall in 2011. The video features highlights from the 32-year-old's first stint with the Panthers, his college career at Auburn and his 2020 season with the New England Patriots. 

The video also has a voiceover from Newton explaining that he needs "to be better" and has clips from NFL insiders announcing that he had been cut from the Patriots just before this season. 

The short video includes songs such as "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar and "Coming Home" by Dirty Money, featuring Skylar Grey.

Newton played for the Panthers from 2011 to 2019, during which time he won the 2015 NFL MVP award, appeared in one Super Bowl and was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro.

Carolina signed him to take over for the injured Sam Darnold, who could miss four to six weeks with a shoulder injury, per head coach Matt Rhule. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Newton agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million.

The Carolina Panthers have a new quarterback after reuniting with Cam Newton on Thursday. 

The team announced the move, while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Newton's one-year deal could be worth up to $10 million for the rest of the season. The deal features $4.5 million fully guaranteed and $1.5 million in roster bonus.

Carolina entered the day with $12.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac, fourth-most in the NFL. Even if Newton hits all of his incentives, the Panthers will still have $2.8 million to spare.

It also provides the team with stability under center after head coach Matt Rhule announced Sam Darnold will miss four-to-six weeks with his shoulder injury.

Here is the latest depth chart after the new signing.

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QB: Cam Newton, P.J. Walker, Matt Barkley

RB: Christian McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, Ameer Abdullah

FB: Giovanni Ricci

WR: D.J. Moore, Terrace Marshall Jr.

WR: Robby Anderson, Willie Snead, Alex Erickson

TE: Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, Colin Thompson

LT: Trent Scott, Brady Christensen

LG: Michael Jordan

C: Pat Elflein, Sam Tecklenburg

RG: Dennis Daley

RT: Taylor Moton

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It's unlikely Newton comes off the street to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, meaning it should be P.J. Walker leading the offense in Week 10. It's still difficult to expect much from a player who is just 3-of-15 passing in limited playing time this season.

The former XFL quarterback knows Rhule from his days at Temple, but Walker has just one touchdown pass with five interceptions in seven career NFL appearances.

Newton's salary also indicates he will get the starting job when he is ready, looking to bounce back after last year's struggles with the New England Patriots. The veteran did have 12 rushing touchdowns in 15 starts, but he also threw 10 interceptions with only eight passing touchdowns.

On the other hand, the Patriots had limited offensive weapons in 2020 with no one topping either 800 rushing yards or receiving yards.

Carolina will have a lot more around Newton in 2021 between Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and more.

If Newton is healthy, he should be able to turn things around for an offense that ranks 26th in the NFL in points per game.

Perhaps the biggest question mark will come on the offensive line, especially after center Matt Paradis and left tackle Cameron Erving were placed on injured reserve this week. The team will have to reshuffle personnel in order to get the most out of the offense.