(Charlotte) The Carolina Panthers have awarded a contract to quarterback and free agent Cam Newton, whom the club selected with the first-ever draft pick in the 2011 session.
The team made the announcement on Thursday.
The Panthers have been hungry for quarterbacks since starter Sam Darnold suffered a broken shoulder in last week’s 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots.
Alternate PJ Walker was scheduled to start Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Matt Barkley, hired from the training roster of the Tennessee Titans, will be his substitute.
It was not clear whether hiring Newton would turn these plans upside down.
Head coach Matt Rhule said on Wednesday that the team would “explore all options” to remedy this situation at quarterback.
Newton has been in trouble for the past few seasons, being unable to regain the level of play that earned him the 2015 NFL MVP, in part due to shoulder and foot injuries.
He’s been 7-16 in his last 23 starts with 20 interceptions against just 17 touchdowns. He’s scored 12 rushing touchdowns in those games.
Newton spent nine seasons with the Panthers, amassing 29,041 passing yards with 182 touchdowns against 111 interceptions. He also set a record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
He had his best season in 2015, as he contributed 45 touchdowns, including 10 on the ground, and helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl after a 15-1 record. Newton, however, had a short-lived game against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, who won 24-10.
The Panthers released him ahead of the 2020 season, after he lost his last eight starts with the team.