Cam Newton’s nine-year run with the Carolina Panthers is at an end. They picked him as the #1 overall draft pick coming out of Auburn, and he guided the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance against the Denver Broncos. However, the last couple of seasons have featured both inconsistency and injury, and with the firing of head coach Ron Rivera, it looked like Newton’s time might be up as well. The Panthers let Newton seek a trade, but none were forthcoming. When Carolina inked Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63 million deal, that was the signal that they were moving on. The Panthers released Newton — a one-time NFL MVP — on Tuesday. There are only a few quarterback openings left in the NFL, so let’s take a look at the latest online betting odds as well as thoughts about some of the most logical landing spots for Cam Newton.
NFL: Cam Newton’s Next Team Odds
Team Odds
- Los Angeles Chargers +250
- Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars +350
- New England Patriots, Washington Redskins +500
- Denver Broncos +1600
- Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers +2500
- Buffalo Bills +4000
- New York Giants, New York Jets +5000
- Indianapolis Colts +8000
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams +10000
- New Orleans Saints +12500
The Los Angeles Chargers are the clear favorites, and for good reason. Philip Rivers had led the offense for 16 seasons before heading to Indianapolis in free agency, leaving the offense in the hands of Tyrod Taylor. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has a great deal of affinity for Taylor, but the only time he has led a team to the playoffs came in Buffalo, when they posted a 9-7 record and snagged a wild card, only to lose in a defensive snoozefest to Jacksonville. Newton is also a dual-threat quarterback, and the Chargers have great weapons around him in Hunter Henry, Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler. Also, Taylor posted video on his Instagram account of himself working out with Newton. Could a signing be in the cards?
The Las Vegas Raiders are interesting. Yes, they keep telling everyone they are sticking with Derek Carr, and they added Marcus Mariota, who should push Carr for the starting job. The Raiders have spent money on defense and, if they could trade Carr, can’t you see a coach like Jon Gruden rolling the dice on Newton, a quarterback who has a cannon arm well beyond what either Carr or Mariota can do? The Raiders are looking to make a splash in their new home, and Newton would give the team instant buzz.
The Buffalo Bills are clear favorites to win the AFC East, now that Tom Brady has headed south. Their quarterback, Josh Allen, has won over the fan base with his gritty running style. While he can hit John Brown on some deep balls, there are some clear limits with respect to accuracy, particularly on throws down the field. Bills coach Sean McDermott and GM Brandon Beane both spent time in Carolina, so they know Newton well. Buffalo could fit a backup quarterback at an expensive price tag under the salary cap. Now that the Bills went out and got Stefon Diggs as their #1 wide receiver, it’s fun to imagine what an arm like Newton’s could do with that offense.
The New England Patriots have a glaring hole at the quarterback position right now after Brady’s departure. They have three quarterbacks right now: Brian Hoyer (whom they signed this week), Jarrett Stidham (who threw four passes in his rookie season, including a pick-six) and Cody Kessler, who was last seen leading the Cleveland Browns through a dreadful 2016 campaign. Cam Newton has a markedly different style from Tom Brady, but you have to think Bill Belichick could find a way to harness the gifts that Newton brings. Having a change of scenery could jump-start Newton’s career, bringing “Superman” back for all of us.
