Panthers Say 'Our Doors Are Open' to Cam Newton amid QB's Comments on Relationship

The Carolina Panthers say that their "doors are open" to ex-quarterback and franchise legend Cam Newton, who had made multiple comments implying there is friction between the two sides.

“Cam Newton has been and will continue to be welcomed by the Carolina Panthers,” a team spokesperson told Joseph Person of The Athletic in a statement. “Our doors are open, as they are to all team Legends.”

Citing "sources with knowledge of the situation," Person stated that "Newton has been invited to multiple team-sponsored events in recent years but did not attend."

In November, Newton said on his podcast that he didn't have a "quarrel" with owner David Tepper and the organization.

But he did take umbrage with a few issues, including the lack of an invite to Germany alongside other Panthers legends when the team went overseas to play the New York Giants last November.

He also noted how his eight-year-old son said that there weren't pictures of him in the team facility when his seven-on-seven football team went to play a tournament there.

Newton also said an issue is that the team officials claim they don't know if he's retired or not, perhaps leading to the perception that the Panthers are keeping him and notably didn't include him among other retired team legends in the Germany trip.

“Me and that franchise, it’s simple. It takes two to tango,” he said. “I’ve reached out multiple times and did certain things. There’s so much familiarity there. How do they look at you? Do they look at you as an ambassador or do they just look at you as a former player? It’s a difference.”

Newton isn't officially retired, but he confirmed in the podcast that he's played his last down of football. He also added:

“At this particular point and time, the question was, ‘Oh, we don’t know if Cam’s retired yet.’ News flash: I’m never gonna retire,” Newton said. “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.”

Ultimately, the door does seem wide open for an olive branch of peace, both based off the team statement as well as cornerback Captain Munnerlyn's remarks to The Athletic.

“I’ve been to some of those events where they’ve been like, ‘How can we get No. 1 back in the building? What do we need to do?’ They want him back around,” Munnerlyn said. “And this just ain’t regular people in the building. These are people who’ve got a say-so.”

Newton played for Carolina from 2011-2019 and again in 2021. He's a three-time Pro Bowler who led the Panthers to the playoffs four times (2013-2015, 2017). Carolina notably dominated the 2015 season, going 14-0 en route to a 15-1 season and an NFC title. Newton accounted for 45 touchdowns that season (35 passing, 10 rushing) en route to NFL MVP honors. Simply put, he's a franchise legend and the face of the best team in Panther history.

As Person noted, this season marks the 10-year anniversary of that team. Plans haven't yet been announced to honor them, but one can surmise something will be done. Hopefully the gap between the Panthers and Newton is sewn up before then as that legendary team gets its due recognition.