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Cam Newton to throw at Auburn Pro Day
Image by The Associated Press
Cam Newton made a name for himself in the NFL 13 years ago after a record-breaking season at Auburn. In an effort to once more catch the NFL's attention, Newton is returning to the original location on Tuesday.
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11:46 PM • Mar 20, 2023
Newton will participate in Auburn's pro day, which is usually designated for quarterbacks who plan to enter the NFL Draft rather than a 33-year-old who is past his prime.
This might be his final opportunity to join an NFL roster. Having not started since Week 16 of the 2021 season on December 26, 2021, he did not play in 2022. But based on his announcement video, he still has confidence in his ability to compete with the best.
"Ain't 32 [quarterbacks] motherf——-s better than me," Newton says in the video.
In 2010, the year he won the Heisman Trophy and guided the Tigers to a national championship, he set a record for the most passing touchdowns in a single season in Auburn history with 30.
That was one of the greatest seasons ever for a college quarterback, and it helped Newton's draft standing.
In 2015, Newton won the NFL MVP award after the Panthers went 15-1 and he completed 296 of 495 passes (59.8%) for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in addition to 132 carries for 636 yards and 10 scores. Newton was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL Draft.
He was cut after the 2019 campaign and had a forgettable year with the Patriots before returning to the Panthers in the middle of the 2021 campaign for a dismal 0-5 start.
What sort of market Newton might demand this offseason is unknown. In order to fight for the starting position, the majority of teams are either set at the position or have previously signed players earlier this month.
His former team — the Panthers — signed Andy Dalton and will almost certainly draft a QB first overall in April's draft. Houston and Indianapolis are also in line to draft QBs and signed backups Case Keenum and Gardner Minshew in free agency, respectively.
Teams such as the Falcons and Bucs have young vets in the running for their starting jobs and have addressed depth concerns by agreeing to deals for Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta) and Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay).
Arizona might be Newton's best chance to join an NFL roster in 2023. After suffering an ACL tear in Week 14 and undergoing surgery on Jan. 3, Kyler Murray's season status is in doubt.
Newton would be a low-risk alternative the team might take into consideration for a season that is expected to be long, especially with a youthful coaching staff.
Even yet, it seems improbable. It seems unlikely that a player who has been out of the NFL for a year will suddenly attract the attention of teams who have had ample opportunity to sign him for more than a year but not to do so.