Cam Newton probably played for the Carolina Panthers in front of his own audience for the last time in Week 16, his contract expires, he could not convince in his second engagement. A lot of things sounded like goodbye for the quarterback after that – also from the NFL?

Munich/Charlotte – Cam Newton doesn’t want to say goodbye. Not yet.

Yet the scenario is not new. Many sports stars find it difficult to let go, to find the right time, to admit to themselves that they are no longer ready for the big stage.

Newton, too, has long been a shadow of his former days, as harsh as that may sound.

And of course the 32-year-old knows how the business works. So he must have been aware of the interpretations that would follow when he spoke in past tense at the press conference after what could be the Carolina Panthers’ last home game and even reviewed the early, successful years with the Panthers.

Cam Newton: “Some great memories “

“The football was good to me,” Newton said, “I was able to come away unscathed. I don’t want to sound like I’m retiring, but I had some great memories.”

On whether it felt like goodbye, he was asked specifically. “No, it doesn’t feel like that,” Newton countered the speculation.

But the reality has long since likely been different.

The problem: His performances in recent weeks were probably an even stronger “statement” that his time as a quarterback in the NFL is over than the words, which still leave plenty of room for speculation. At least his time as an undisputed starter, as an above-average playmaker, as a franchise quarterback.

Because after his smash comeback in mid-November with three touchdowns in two games, the fun quickly came to an end.

In Week 16’s 6:32 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Newton threw for 61 yards and an interception. In his most recent four games, he has a passer rating of 44.5, one touchdown and five interceptions.

Almost sad stats.

He shared the duties against the Bucs with Sam Darnold, who still has a contract with the Panthers and will probably get his chances despite a disappointing season. It was emblematic, therefore, that Darnold was on the field at the end as the clock expired, and Newton was on the sideline.

Newton’s contract expires

Newton’s contract is up, the experiment didn’t work, the attempt at a feel-good story created more discomfort than happiness on the bottom line.

So his second era with the Panthers will probably be a very short one, one without a happy ending.

Without a sporting one for the team, because when Newton was signed Week 10 ago, the Panthers were 4-5. After just one win from the past six games, it’s now a 5-10 record and the playoffs are out of the question. “We all deserve better,” Newton said, “Hell, I want better.”

He wanted to show his critics, after a very mixed 2020 season with the New England Patriots and being fired before the current season.

Instead, he provided further fodder for the critics.

Fodder for the critics

He doesn’t know what the future holds, “Super Cam” said, stressing that he wants to fight: “I’m going to look the lion in the eye and not blink.”

Still, he said, he was disappointed above all. “The first time I came here, it was very uncertain how long I would stay here. This second time is just unfortunate because you put so much work into finding ways to win and building relationships. And when that doesn’t work out, like now, you feel empty,” he said.

And asked the question many ask themselves. “You feel empty and you ask yourself, ‘Damn, are you good enough?'”

Still, he doesn’t want to know about leaving.

Not yet.