Sometimes, life comes full circle. That’s certainly the case for the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton.
Newton, who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Panthers, where he won the NFL MVP in 2015, was released in March 2020. Later that year, he signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, where he started 15 games in 2020.
Newton returned to New England but was released this summer after losing the starting job to first-round pick Mac Jones. He remained a free agent until last week when the Panthers brought him back after an injury to Sam Darnold.
Now, he’s expected to start in Week 11 — against the Washington Football Team, nonetheless.
Panthers’ HC Matt Rhule said he will give Cam Newton most of the first-team reps at practice this week, which placed him square in line to start Sunday against the WFT.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 15, 2021
Wow. Talk about a storyline.
As if Rivera going back to Charlotte, where he coached for nine seasons, wasn’t a big enough storyline, now he faces his old quarterback, who he chose not to sign for two consecutive offseasons when his team didn’t have a clear answer at quarterback.
As for Rivera’s part, it’s not about revenge.
“I don’t believe in revenge games,” Rivera said, per NBC Sports Washington. “I really don’t. I think if you’ve got to find a way to motivate yourself, it shouldn’t be about revenge; it should be about winning the football game.”
Rivera is far too classy to say this game would mean a little bit more to him than others. Of course, it does.
Now, you have Rivera, Newton and the former Panther, Taylor Heinicke, on the field in Week 11, which should create plenty of fun storylines over the next week.