Along with his almost 20-minute long presser, Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer served reporters a side of additional details at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. Included in that serving was an intriguing nugget on quarterback Cam Newton, who will soon know what’s what.
Fitterer said the 32-year-old passer will “know where he stands” with the team before free agency begins. The market is set to open on March 14 at 12 p.m. ET, when negotiations between teams and unrestricted free agents can officially commence.
Scott Fitterer says they will have a conversation with Cam Newton and he will “know where he stands” with the team before free agency. pic.twitter.com/7edvhIe6PS
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) March 2, 2022
During his broader media availability, Fitterer stated that he and Newton always had plans to hold a “person-to-person” conversation this offseason to discuss his future in Carolina. That agreement came back when Newton rejoined the organization in November.
“One thing with Cam is when we sat down at Mr. Tepper’s house, we always said after the season—when we come close to making a decision—we’d have a discussion and we’d talk person-to-person first before we share anything.”
Fitterer, who has explored quite a few avenues in trying to address the quarterback position, would later add that another reunion isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
“We’re still open to Cam,” he said. “But again, we want to have that conversation with him directly.”
Whether or not Newton ultimately returns, at least the Panthers learned from their previous mistakes. Instead of pulling the rug out from under him, they’re seemingly approaching their decision on the franchise’s greatest player with a much greater deal of respect.
