Panthers Allow Newton To Seek Trade

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The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that they have allowed quarterback Cam Newton permission to seek a trade.

Newton, 31, was drafted by the Panthers first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft and has been the face of the team over the last nine years.

"One of the distinct pleasures of my career was selecting Cam with the first pick in the 2011 draft," general manager Marty Hurney said. "Every year difficult decisions are made and they are never easy. We have been working with Cam and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward and he will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts."

Uncertainty has surrounded Newton's time in Carolina recently as he has suffered numerous injuries since 2016, which led to multiple surgeries on his throwing shoulder and a foot procedure.

Newton weighed in on Instagram and was not happy.

Cam Newton with some words for the Panthers -- pic.twitter.com/ZUc3Jq855r

— WFNZ-AM/FM (@wfnz) March 17, 2020

Even if Newton isn't traded, it seems the Panthers have made their mind up on trading him. 

Carolina is reportedly finalizing a deal with free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. (Story

"Cam is one of the all-time greats in Panthers history," owner David Tepper said. "If you ask any of our fans for some of their most memorable moments, I'm willing to bet that most of them would include Cam. Electrifying plays, giving away footballs after touchdowns, fun celebrations and big wins. His competitiveness and drive are rare. Off the field, you can't measure Cam's contributions. He has touched the lives of of youth throughout the Carolinas and in Atlanta. He's unique and we wish him all the best." 

Newton, who holds most of Carolina's all-time passing records, was limited to two games in 2019 after suffering a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot during the preseason.

The Panthers can save $19.1 million in cap space by trading him and $17.1 million by cutting him