The Carolina Panthers are releasing quarterback Cam Newton. But, if they had it their way, Newton would’ve wound up in Chicago.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers were trying to trade Newton to the Chicago Bears or Los Angeles Chargers during last week’s free agency frenzy.
With both teams choosing not to bite, the Panthers have nothing left to do but release the former MVP, as Teddy Bridgewater comes in take the starting job.
The #Panthers tried to send Cam Newton to the #Bears and #Chargers. They found no takers and at this point, no starting jobs available. Release was the only option. Carolina has just $2M in dead money with this release, but Cam is now free.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2020
While the Bears showed interest in trading for Newton, reports that Chicago was concerned about Newton’s health ultimately stalled discussions.
Newton had surgery on his injured left foot, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season after Week 2. One of the concerns for any team considering trading for Newton was his health.
With teams not permitted to travel and any new deals pending physicals, it’s impossible to know for sure that Newton is good to go, which would explain Chicago’s hesitancy.
But the Bears ultimately did get their quarterback. They traded for former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles, who will compete with Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job in Chicago.
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