Ex-NFL quarterback Cam Newton took to social media Monday to reveal that he will throw the pigskin once again on Tuesday at Auburn’s Pro Day, leading to speculation about a potential comeback for the free agent.
Newton announced his participation in the Auburn athletic event attended by NFL scouts via a video he posted on Twitter. “I’ve seen a lot of people toying with the idea. And it’s official: I will be throwing at Auburn’s Pro Day Tuesday,” he said in the video, which largely consisted of a montage of Newton training.
He also appeared to call out NFL teams for signing less experienced quarterbacks while overlooking his own considerable talents, asking “how these randoms keep getting jobs.”
ÄÜßÜRÑ ₽RØ DÄ¥ wē ÄČTÎVÄT£D‼️
3/21 ÄÜßÜRÑ, ÄŁ‼️😈#šhïñëTHRŪthëŠHÄDĒ#ñøtFØRłïkëšJŪŠTførŁÏFĒ
-1ØVĒ🤟🏾 pic.twitter.com/b3I1OiZCgK— Cameron 1 Newton (@CameronNewton) March 20, 2023
Auburn Pro Day is a combine-like training event that gives former Auburn football players a chance to showcase their athletic abilities in front of NFL scouts representing an array of teams, according to Auburn University Athletics.
Newton’s last NFL win was in 2020, during a stint with the New England Patriots, where he only played for a single season, according to NBC Sports – ProFootBallTalk.
Shortly after Newton’s college career concluded, he signed a $22,000,000 four-year contract as a No. 1 draft pick with the Carolina Panthers in 2011, ESPN reported.
Newton played a pivotal role in the Panthers achieving a nearly perfect season in 2015 with a 15-1 record, only to be upset by a significant loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, NBC Sports noted. (RELATED: Police Arrest Teenager Who Went Viral For Snapping Super Bowl Pic With Justin Timberlake: Report)
Even though Newton didn’t secure the Lombardi Trophy that year, he was awarded the honor of league MVP for his performance in the 2015 season.
By 2020, after playing for nearly a decade with the Panthers, Newton signed a contract with the New England Patriots, where he played for the said single season, NBC Sports noted.
The Patriots cut Newton in Sept. of 2021 amid pre-season training camp after the former MVP was a no-show for three practices due to a “misunderstanding” between Newton and the organization concerning COVID-19 protocols, The New York Times reported. (RELATED: Former NFL Receiver K.J. Wright Implies League Switched Up Scheduling To Help Rig Results)
I refuse to allow the media to keep on with this BS narrative that Cam isn’t still serviceable. Newton is better than most of these other guys getting deals right now. All it takes is a good situation 🫡 #CamNewton #NFL #FreeAgency @CameronNewton pic.twitter.com/OTxfAIJqTt
— James Whipper (@James_Whipper1) March 20, 2023
After parting ways with the Patriots, Newton re-signed with the Panthers two months later to bring his talents back to North Carolina in a one-year deal worth $10,000,000, according to The Athletic. But his return didn’t last long.
Once his contract was up, Newton reportedly refused “one last deal” offered up by Carolina during the 2022 off-season and remains a free agent to this day, PanthersWire reported. (RELATED: Here Are The Top-Selling NFL Team Hats And Jerseys In Each State For The 2022-2023 Season)
The last time Newton graced an NFL stadium as a signed player was with the Panthers in 2021.
Newton led Auburn to win the BCS National Championship and was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 2010.