2 min read • March 09, 2022
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After 11 years in the NFL, 10 of them with the Carolina Panthers, Cam Newton’s time in the league may be at an end.
The 32-year-old notoriously announced his return to Carolina with a Week 10 rushing touchdown, but his performance dwindled after that and he was replaced by P.J. Walker.
In eight games with the Panthers, he ran for more touchdowns (5) than he threw for (4) and that about sums up his effectiveness at this point in his career.
Newton has been plagued by injuries for most of his career and his throwing ability has not been the same since suffering a torn rotator cuff in 2016.
In 2018, Newton himself even admitted that he couldn't throw a ball more than 30 yards down the field. He has also alluded to arthritis issues in his shoulder, which is obviously a serious issue in a quarterback.
A Lisfranc foot fracture in 2019 also robbed him of some of his mobility, which was his main asset following the multiple shoulder surgeries.
The sum of these injuries make Newton a long shot to sign with an NFL team this offseason, said Dr. David Chao, ProFootballDoc.
If he does sign, it will likely be in a backup role and certainly not for any significant amount of money, Chao said.
The three-time Pro Bowler and 2015 MVP appears to be done in Carolina and may not get another opportunity.
"It's too bad Newton is no longer the same due to numerous injuries," Chao said.
As Newton was entering the league, he had a pelvis MRI and the radiologist called Chao to ask who Newton was.
When Chao asked the radiologist why, the radiologist replied that Newton had the biggest hip flexor muscles he had ever seen.
"The hip flexor muscle is responsible for power running and Newton certainly was dominant there early in his NFL career," Chao said.
If Newton has indeed played his last NFL snap, he will finish second in career rushing yards for a quarterback and first in career rushing touchdowns for the position.
His 5,628 rushing yards are just under 500 yards behind Michael Vick, while his rushing touchdown total (75) is nearly double the next closest QB, Steve Young with 43.
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