The Carolina Panthers just released their first and only MVP Quarterback Cam Newton after they were unable to find a suitable trade for him.
The release now frees up $2 million in dead money for the organization.
“Cam has meant a lot to this organization and the Carolinas,” general manager Marty Hurney said in a press release. “Everyone saw his performances on the field. I had the privilege of seeing how hard he worked off the field, and his commitment to this team when no one was watching. He’s the ultimate competitor and it physically hurts him to lose. He willed this team to victory on many occasions and will always be considered one of the greatest players in the history of this franchise. His contributions to this team, this community and the game of football will leave a lasting impact on our organization.”
The #Panthers tried to send Cam Newton to the #Bears and #Chargers. They found no takers and at this point, no starting jobs available. Release was the only option. Carolina has just $2M in dead money with this release, but Cam is now free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2020
Just 5 years ago, Cam became the first player in Panthers history to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player designation after taking our team to Super Bowl 50. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler (2011, 2013, 2015), won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after breaking a single-season NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14), became the first player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a single season, and became the first player in NFL history with at least 30 passing touchdowns (35) and 10 rushing touchdowns (10) in a single season.
His release will go down in the history books as the third time any NFL team has released an MVP-winning QB.
Cam Newton is known to be the 3rd former MVP-winning QB to be released by their team, the others being Peyton Manning (Colts in 2012) and Kurt Warner (Rams in 2004). Both Warner and Manning went on to start in Super Bowls for another team after their release.
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 25, 2020
What do you think about the Panthers’ decision to release Cam?