NFL Rumors: Carolina Panthers Will Trade Cam Newton, Sign Teddy Bridgewater In Free Agency

Cam Newton’s time with the Carolina Panthers appears to be over. The team has given the quarterback permission to seek a trade, and they are about to acquire his replacement.

Carolina is working to sign Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year contract worth around $60 million, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Bridgewater is expected to be the Panthers’ starting quarterback for the 2020 NFL season under new head coach Matt Rhule.

Bridgewater went 5-0 as the New Orleans Saints starter in the 2019 season, replacing the injured Drew Brees. The 27-year-old threw for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions and a 99.1 passer rating.

Bridgewater last made more than five starts in the 2015 season when he was with the Minnesota Vikings.

Newton only started two games last year because of a foot injury. A shoulder injury limited Newton to 14 games in 2018. Newton hasn’t won a game since Nov. 4, 2018.

There has been speculation for some time that Newton would not return with the Panthers next season. The veteran’s health remains a question mark, and he only has one year left on his contract with a $21.1 million cap hit.

While Carolina is allowing Newton and his agents to explore a trade, the quarterback indicated on Instagram that he hasn’t requested a trade.

Several teams are in the market for a starting quarterback.

The New England Patriots need a signal caller now that Tom Brady is headed elsewhere. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers are pursuing Brady, though at least one of those teams will still be searching for a starter when the six-time champion makes his final decision.

Newton threw for 3,395 yards, 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 94.2 passer rating in 2018. He had a career-high 754 rushing yards in 2017.

Newton led the Panthers to the Super Bowl when he won the 2015 NFL MVP award.