A Timeline of Cam's Split From The Panthers

[hepcat]

It hasn't sunk in yet. Cam Newton, who just 5 short years ago, was MVP of the entire NFL, will not be playing in a Panthers uniform when the 2020 NFL season begins. It is truly the dawning of a new era for Panthers fans.

What caused this split? If we go back and take a look at the timeline, there's some breaking points we can see that lead up to this moment.

May 2018: David Tepper buys the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson for $2.2b in cash. A critical turning point for the franchise - David Tepper is now the "big cat" for the Panthers after a disgraced Jerry Richardson was forced to sell the team. 

November 8th, 2018: The Panthers are blown out by the Steelers 52-21. The team new owner David Tepper held a minority share in for 9 years embarrasses his new team in a prime time game. TJ Watt lays a massive hit on Cam Newton's surgically repaired throwing shoulder, and as we know, the once hot 6-2 Panthers never recover from this.

February 2019: Cam Newton announces he is eating only a Vegan diet. He will report to training camp at a much lower playing weight.

August 22nd, 2019: A visibly much leaner Cam Newton sees his first playing time of the 2019 season, breaks his foot against the New England Patriots in a meaningless preseason contest, lasting only 11 plays before sustaining the injury.

September 12th, 2019: An obviously injured Cam Newton fights his way through a miserable Thursday night game against the Bucs. At the very end of the game, from the 1 yard line with a chance to win the game with a touchdown, the Panthers call a strange trick play that gives the ball to Christian McCaffrey, instead of the once dominant red-zone threat in Cam Newton. Whether it is his lower playing weight, or his foot injury, the Panthers decide not to give him the ball with the game on the line.

September 27th, 2019: Cam Newton posts "The Truth About Why I’m Sidelined: In My Words And Done My Way" video, where he smokes a cigar and admits that he hit the severity of the foot injury from the team. He admits he was not able to run during the Week 1 game agains the Rams. No matter how you slice it, this isn't a good look for someone trying to endear themselves to new ownership.

November 5th, 2019: Cam Newton is put on IR, ending his season due to the foot injury. 

December 3rd, 2019: Head Coach Ron Rivera is fired. Rivera and Newton have been together since 2011 and enjoyed a nice rise and sad fall during their tenure with the team. With Rivera gone, it could signal the end of Cam Newton's tenure in Carolina. 

January-February 2020: Mixed reports come out of Carolina about whether Cam will be with the team going forward. Ominous instagram posts by Cam Newton asking for "A little commitment" allude to his desire for a contract extension. 

February 27th, 2020: Matt Rhule outwardly says he "wants Cam Newton here" during an interview at the NFL combine. Maybe a bargaining chip in the contract extension negotiation? Posturing to drive up Cam's trade value? Who knows.

March 17th, 2020: The Panthers social media team outwardly announces the team's intentions to trade Cam Newton. Teddy Bridgewater is signed. Newton fires back on instagram and says it was not his choice. A messy split is inevitable.

This didn't happen overnight. Cam has had the writing on the wall for perhaps over a year now. He needed a strong 2019 to be given the contract extension he felt he deserved. Given the injuries, the theatrics, and all the unknowns, I understand why the team would let go of him now. But, the way it all went down, much like it did with Steve Smith and some other former great Panthers, was not handled as it should have been.