Cam Newton wants to salvage career, throws at Auburn’s Pro Day

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is looking to make his return to the league. The quarterback worked out at Auburn’s Pro Day on Tuesday. Newton stated that he believes there are not 32 quarterbacks currently in the NFL better than he is.

Newton, 33, enjoyed a prolific 11-year NFL career. He was a dynamic runner who gave defensive coordinators nightmares trying to gameplan against him. As a passer, he was never elite, but he was reliable enough to take his team to the playoffs, even taking them on a run to the Super Bowl in 2015. A game he lost to the ghost of Payton Manning’s arm and a dominant Denver Broncos defense.

Alongside his league MVP award, Newton is a three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and the 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots quarterback returned to Auburn and threw for the draft prospects at their Pro Day.

“Tell me how these randoms keep getting jobs,” Newton said in a video announcing his return to his alma mater. “Don’t worry about it. Imma show you. I can’t wait to show you.”

Newton has not played a down of NFL football since Week 18 of the 2021 season. He has not taken more than a single snap in a NFL game since Week 16 of that season. 2021 was Newton’s return to Carolina after spending one season with the Patriots. Newton played in eight games, including five starts all of which were losses. He amassed 684 passing yards while throwing four touchdowns and five interceptions. While his arm did not appear to be what it once was, he proved he was still a threat to run. He finished the season with 230 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

More than a year removed from his last game of professional football, Newton seeks an opportunity to return. It is hard to imagine a single workout will make that dream a reality. Cam Newton looked good throwing against air without pads on. It is far from a guarantee he can replicate that performance against a pass rush while throwing into coverage.

Newton’s last productive season was in 2018, and his last winning season came in 2017. Injuries have become a concern for the veteran quarterback as well. He has not played a full season since 2017 as well. Those concerns will only grow worse as Newton turns 34 in May.

It is hard to imagine a world where Cam Newton is signed to a contract. He is one season removed from playing football, and he was sub-par in his final two seasons in the league. Talking heads may speculate what teams he might fit with or where he could land, but the answer is nowhere.

Are all 32 of the NFL’s current starters better than Newton right now? Maybe not. However, all 32 teams are in a better quarterback situation than to pursue a 33-year-old injury-prone quarterback who has not played at an average level in years. Whether it is draft position, having a young prospect on the roster or having a franchise quarterback already on the roster, every team already has a plan in place at quarterback. At best, Newton could be viewed as a potential bridge quarterback, but teams in that position have already filled those spots.

(Featured Image Credit: Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK)