Could Cam Newton actually return as quarterback in Carolina?

The NFL quarterback carousel could be an epic one this offseason. Although Drew Brees has already confirmed that he will return to New Orleans, plenty of other big-name signal-callers remain in limbo. Philip Rivers is finally moving on from the Chargers, Tom Brady is a free agent and may not be a lock to be back in New England, Cam Newton is a question mark with Carolina, the Raiders could might replace Derek Carr, the Jameis Winston era in Tampa Bay may be ending one season too late, and Brees’ recent announcement has made Teddy Bridgewater expendable.

Will Cam continue to Rhule in Carolina?

Newton’s situation is especially sticky. There is no denying his talent, registering at 6’5’’, 245 pounds, with a rocket arm and dangerous running ability. At 30 years old, the former Auburn star should have a lot left in the tank—if he is healthy. But that is a big “if.” Newton missed all but two games of the 2019 campaign with a dreaded Lisfranc foot injury, so there is no guarantee that he will be 100 percent for 2020. Moreover, a new regime has arrived in Carolina. Owner David Tepper is relatively new (he purchased the team in May of 2018) and the coaching staff is brand new on the heels of Ron Rivera’s firing and Matt Rhule’s arrival.

Thus it would make sense to start over on the field, too, right?

Coach speak

Well, maybe not. According to Rhule, he wants Newton to come back.

“I absolutely want Cam here,” the former Baylor head coach said at the NFL Combine earlier this week. “There’s no doubt about that. “I know there’s going to be a lot of questions about Cam. My son keeps calling and asking me questions. I figured I would address that right off the bat. From my perspective, I am unbelievably excited to get a chance to work with Cam.”

Of course, it goes without saying that a head coach is going to speak highly of just about any player who is still under contract (Newton has one year left on his deal). This may be Rhule’s first rodeo in the NFL, but he knows what to say and what not to say. There has to be some reading between the lines in order to fully understand what is being said.

“From my perspective” does not sound overly promising for a potential Newton return. Does that mean from Tepper’s perspective the front office is not excited about Cam?

“We need to get him cleared, but after that we really need to have a really, really disciplined return-to-play program so when he comes back he comes back at full speed,” Rhule added. “I really don’t care if he’s full speed until September. We’re going to look for the absolute best fit for everything…. I was teasing earlier I would trade my son Brian if it was for the right people. You have to have that mindset, right?… So really the only thing that matters is getting him healthy. I’m excited to have him here. I want him to be here. I want to coach him.”

“We’re going to look at the absolute best fit for everything” also doesn’t sound great for Newton’s future in Carolina.

Could the Panthers instead opt for either a free-agent quarterback or a long-term investment in round one of the 2020 NFL Draft? It’s entirely possible, if not even probable. Rhule said the right thigs while being non-committal one way or the other, so for now there remain more questions than answers—just like with a bunch of other QBs this offseason.