The quarterback is the team’s career passing leader.
The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with quarterback Cam Newton on Thursday, the team announced, in a reunion with the franchise’s career leading passer and one of its most popular players less than two years after he was released from the team. The move adds some stability for the Panthers after their starter, Sam Darnold, injured his right shoulder Sunday against the New England Patriots. Darnold is expected to miss multiple games. The team’s backup, P.J. Walker, has started only one game in his career, and the team recently signed the veteran journeyman Matt Barkley. The Patriots released Newton,32, during training camp, electing to start a rookie, Mac Jones, whom the team drafted No.15 overall this spring. At the time, Newton would not say whether he was vaccinated against the coronavirus. But a misunderstanding of protocols forced Newton to miss three days of practice — a sign that he had not taken the shots. His absence allowed Jones to practice with the team’s starters. Newton’s vaccination status also made it tougher for potential suitors to sign him. Unvaccinated players must test negative for five days before entering team facilities. In October on his YouTube Channel, Newton confirmed that he had been vaccinated and was ready to join a team.
