It looks like Cam Newton will start for Panthers in Week 11
Cam Newton was being much more serious than most realized on Sunday.
Newton, who signed with the Carolina Panthers last week, yelled: “I’m back” on the field after he scored one of his two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals.
But… he’s really, really back now.
On Monday following the Panthers’ win over the Cards, Carolina head coach Matt Rhule said that Newton would be taking first-team reps in practice this week. In doing so, Newton would be considered the starting quarterback against the Washington Football Team in Week 11.
“We’ll give Cam most of the reps and get him up to speed as much as possible,” Rhule said via Panthers Wire.
Panthers’ HC Matt Rhule said he will give Cam Newton most of the first-team reps at practice this week, which placed him square in line to start Sunday against the WFT.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2021
Rhule went on to preface that Newton would not be named starter until he shows he’s ready and up to speed in the offense during workouts in the coming days.
Ironically enough, if Newton does start, his first time doing so again in Carolina would be against a team coached by his former bench boss with the Panthers: Ron Rivera.
In the Panthers’ win vs Arizona, PJ Walker started and was 22-for-29 passing for 167 yards with an interception.
Newton came into the game on specific packages and went 3-for-4 for eight yards. He scored on the ground and with a pass on his first two snaps played.
Newton was previously released by the New England Patriots just prior to the start of the 2021 season. Rookie Mac Jones took over starting duties there.
Since then, the 32-year-old had been a free agent since signing with Carolina, the team that previously selected him No. 1 overall at the 2011 NFL draft.
