‘He’s the Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me’

He’s a teenager with an out-of-this world fastball, and he could be on his way to the major leagues. But it comes at a cost: for every baseball game played, MLB will take 14 percent of everything this young athlete earns until his career is done.

The “the best thing that could ever happen to me” is a phrase used by many people. It can be a good or bad thing depending on the person using it.

It’s official now. Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers have planned a get-together when the veteran quarterback returns to the franchise that selected him in 2011.

The Panthers brought in Matt Barkley and appointed PJ Walker as the starter for the time being after Sam Darnold’s latest injury setback. But that was before Newton joined the team, and the former MVP is returning to the league where he earned his name.

The timing seems to be ideal for both teams, particularly considering Darnold’s poor performance in recent games. Newton’s homecoming to Carolina drew a flood of positive responses, including praise from a former All-Pro teammate.

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Cam Newton is back in action.

Who could have predicted this?

Cam Newton was sent to the free-agent market by the New England Patriots, but he was unable to find job elsewhere. The New Orleans Saints are the latest club to be plagued by injuries, and they are in desperate need of a quarterback.

Nobody wanted to kick Newton’s tires, unfortunately. Enter the Panthers, who re-signed their former quarterback and offered him a lucrative contract worth up to $10 million.

The #Panthers are handing QB Cam Newton a one-year contract for up to $10 million for the remainder of the season, according to a source… Includes a $4.5 million fully guaranteed bonus and a $1.5 million roster bonus.

November 11, 2021 — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)

That is a significant sum of money for just half a season. Furthermore, when Newton will take over the starting role is unknown. Superman is back in Carolina, despite the fact that the Panthers quarterback room continues to evolve throughout the season.

All-Pro in the past After Newton’s choice to return to the Panthers, Greg Olsen gushed over him.

This accurately encapsulates Newton’s and Greg Olsen’s relationship. During their tenure with the Panthers, the quarterback-tight end tandem scared opponents.

After that, Olsen went to the Seattle Seahawks, while Newton went to the New England Patriots. Olsen now works for FOX as an analyst for NFL games. Olsen was candid about his views toward Newton during Thursday’s Miami Dolphins-Baltimore Ravens game (h/t FOX Sports NFL).

“I’ve always been upfront about [Cam Newton’s] effect on my career. On and off the field, he’s the finest thing that’s ever happened to me… I’m excited to see what he comes up with.”

Cam Newton, according to Greg Olsen

Olsen is effusive in his compliments. With the Panthers, the duo was on fire for a long period. Newton’s favorite target was the All-Pro tight end.

During his nine seasons with the Panthers, Olsen amassed 6,463 yards and 39 touchdowns, with Newton on the receiving end of the bulk of them. They were unstoppable, and it was a pity to see them part ways after such a successful run.

So Olsen is the one who knows the most about Cam and is eager to see what he has left in the tank.

For the Panthers, the return of #1 comes at a critical moment.

Tight end for the Carolina Panthers Greg Olsen and Cam Newton celebrate a touchdown throw | Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Darnold, Walker, and Bridgewater have all played in the last 12 months. Worse, they still owe Bridgewater and Darnold money, not to mention the draft selections they handed to the Jets in exchange for the latter.

While the arrival of Newton is wonderful for Carolina, it demonstrates the team’s desperate search for a half-decent quarterback. The Panthers sped to a 3-1 start with Darnold in the lineup, but have since stuttered to a 4-5 record and last place in the NFC South.

Newton is expected to step in right away and bring this club back on track. If you believed he was coming in as a back-up, you were mistaken. For a half-season, teams don’t pay backup quarterbacks very much. Backup quarterbacks are seldom paid that much for a complete season.

With Matt Rhule as the head coach and Joe Brady as the offensive coordinator, he will be the starter, albeit it may take some time for him to adjust to the new scheme.

Panthers supporters may dig out their old Newton jerseys and put them back on in any case.

Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.

Cam Newton’s Remarkable Return to the Panthers Demonstrates the Team’s Brutal Incompetence in Identifying QB Talent

The “gladys knight the pips’s neither one of us” is a song by Gladys Knight and The Pips. It was released on May 17, 1968.