Cam Newton, ESPN agree on multi-year deal that expands First Take role

Cam Newton agreed to a multi-year deal with ESPN that will further expand his role as a regular commentator on First Take, the network announced Wednesday. Newton will formally return to First Take on Thursday’s episode, ESPN’s press release confirmed.

The former NFL MVP, No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner will continue to bring his unique style and perspective to ESPN’s popular mid-morning show, working alongside ESPN firebrand Steven A. Smith and host Molly Qerim.

“I am excited to be back with the First Take team and share my voice on all things sports,” Newton said in the press release. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to connect with fans and bring my passion and knowledge to a show I’ve always admired.”

Newton became a regular contributor on First Take during 2024, often providing powerful and at times controversial takes on the happenings across both college football and the NFL last season. Last week, while discussing Newton having his No. 2 jersey retired at Auburn, Smith got ahead of ESPN’s announcement by confirming Newton would be returning to the ESPN airwaves with more planned appearances on First Take throughout the upcoming football season.

“I hope he doesn’t mind me saying this, but everybody can look forward to First Take — we’ve had the pleasure of working with him last season — he will be back this season with us as well,” Smith said about Newton. “So I’m looking forward to (working with) him, just like I look forward to you guys and I wanted to take a moment to thank him for what he’s done for this show. … Cam is one of us now, he’s a contributor this show. … On behalf of the entire show, we want to say congratulations to Cam and his family and congratulations, it’s well deserved, my brother.”

Stephen A. Smith reacts to Auburn retiring Cam Newton’s jersey

Auburn announced plans to formally retire Cam Newton‘s No. 2 jersey in a ceremony during the Oct. 11 home game against rival Georgia. It’s a moment 15 years in the making after Newton firmly cemented his place in program lore by leading the Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship in arguably one of the single-most dominating individual seasons in NCAA history.

Two days later, ESPN colleague Stephen A. Smith took a moment to congratulate and honor Newton during Wednesday’s episode of First Take on ESPN.

“First of all, I’m incredibly happy for him. As far as I’m concerned, it’s long overdue, it’s well-deserved,” Smith said of Newton on Wednesday morning. “The man won the Heisman. He won a national championship. They went undefeated. He won the Maxwell Award, the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He was absolutely sensational (at Auburn). What he did for the Auburn Tigers you can’t say enough (about it). So he deserves it.”

Newton will be the fourth Auburn Football alumnus to have his jersey number retired, joining former receiver Terry Beasley, former running back Bo Jackson, and former quarterback Pat Sullivan. Like Newton, Jackson and Sullivan are among the Tigers’ three Heisman Trophy winners.