Cam Newton: ‘I know I’ve played my last piece of football’

Quarterback Cam Newton played one snap in the Carolina Panthers' 41-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 9, 2022. Although the former Auburn All-American has spoken about his desire to continue playing , he hasn't been on an NFL field since.

And, according to his comments during his "4th and 1" podcast this week, he won't be returning.

The subject of Newton's football future was entwined with the quarterback's comments about his relationship with the Panthers.

"Me and that franchise, it's simple: It takes two to tango," Newton said .

Newton is the franchise's career passing leader, and the record-holder for rushing touchdowns, too. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the NFL Most Valuable Player in 2015 playing for the Panthers and triggered the most successful season in Carolina's history.

But when the Panthers played in Germany on Sunday, the "legends" representing the team on the trip were Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Steve Smith. Newton said he wasn't invited.

"For too long it's been a (expletive) excuse, like: We don't know if Cam's retired or not," Newton said of his absence from Panthers' activities. "... I played my last ball in 2020. Came back 2021. It's like, 'Bro, this (expletive)'s over with.' I ain't been back yet. And it ain't because I didn't want to go back. It was just like I'm a very intentional-based person. If I'm going back, it's just like anybody else, I'm not just going back just to walk the halls."

During his weekly podcast, Newton said he doesn't have a beef with the Panthers. But he said he has had his feelings hurt.

"I don't have no quarrel with (team owner) David Tepper," Newton said . "I don't have no quarrel with Mrs. Tepper. I don't have no quarrel with nobody in the Panthers' organization. I speak my mind unbiasedly no matter who and what franchise it is.

"Last year, we had a 7-on-7 tournament in Charlotte, where, me being who I am, I have access. We went into the Panthers' facility, and you mean to tell me one of the greatest Panthers to ever play ain't up nowhere? Nowhere. I'm talking nowhere. Who brought it my attention? My son. ... So as a man, when you have to explain to your son – Daddy, where's your picture? You know what the hell the tour-guide person said? 'If you go up on the second and third level, Cam's all over the place.' I seen Jake Delhomme. I seen Thomas Davis. I seen Luke Kuechly. I seen Julius Peppers. I seen Steve Smith.

"At this particular point in time, the question was: Oh, we don't know if Cam's retired yet? New flash: I'm never going to retire. I know I've played my last piece of football. It don't matter to me to officially retire. I'm in a happy place."

Newton still keeps an eye on the Panthers, though. He said he was " very proud " of quarterback Bryce Young for his performance in Sunday's 20-17 overtime victory against the New York Giants in Munich, but Newton implied Carolina hasn't properly developed the second-year signal-caller from Alabama , who, like Newton, was the No. 1 pick in an NFL Draft.

"Can he play? Hell, yeah," Newton said . "But this goes back to development. Is the development plan in place for him in Carolina? Has he been developed properly? Don't mean to be a spoiler, but –"

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