Cam Newton Rumors: QB Willing to Be 'Patient' to Be High-Level Starter with Team

The Carolina Panthers released Cam Newton on March 24, and the 2015 NFL MVP remains unsigned.

However, Newton is reportedly "willing to wait" if it means landing a job as a "high-level starter," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:

Newton could be viewed as a risky investment because of recent health concerns. The 30-year-old only played two regular-season games last season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during the preseason. He underwent surgery in December, marking his third procedure in three years after two separate shoulder surgeries in March 2017 and January 2019.

However, at least some of the uncertainty surrounding Newton's future may be out of his control.

"There simply aren't a lot of starting jobs available," Fowler added. "So if he has to wait until after the draft or maybe somebody gets injured, he is willing to do that. He knows the Patriots maybe are one of those teams that could be looking. He doesn't know what they're gonna do obviously just yet. They haven't played their hand."

Carolina reportedly tried to trade Newton but failed, leading to his release:

ESPN's Dan Orlovsky has circled the Los Angeles Chargers as the best fit for Newton, even though the organization apparently passed on trading for him:

The Chargers are moving forward with 30-year-old Tyrod Taylor—who served as Philip Rivers' backup last season before Rivers left for Indianapolis last month—at least to start 2020:

Newton and Taylor are close friends and have been working out together:

Taylor told Bleacher Report's Tyler Dunne he is "motivated more than ever," and so is Newton:

If and when Newton lands a job, it figures to be one of the league's more interesting storylines. Will the 2011 top overall pick return to the form that made him the Panthers' all-time leader in career passing yards, passing touchdowns and wins?

Before 2019, Newton had never appeared in fewer than 14 regular-season contests.

Since entering the league, he has thrown for 29,041 yards, 182 touchdowns and 108 interceptions on 59.6 percent accuracy. The dual-threat star has also rushed for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Newton is 66-55-1 as a starter, with his signature campaign coming when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 mark as the league MVP in 2015 before losing 24-10 in Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos.