Matt Rhule responds to question about potential Cam Newton reunion

When any NFL quarterback goes down, questions about Cam Newton’s free agency seem inevitable. Add the intrigue of a potential reunion and the storyline is too good to ignore. With starting quarterback Sam Darnold out with a shoulder injury, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule addressed potential additions.

“Matt Rhule says he won’t go into hypotheticals when asked if Panthers have or would reach out to Cam Newton,” Panthers insider Joe Person tweeted Wednesday. “Says his focus is getting P.J. Walker ready for Cardinals.”

Rhule split ways with Newton, allowing him to join the New England Patriots in 2020. The second-year coach continues searching for his franchise quarterback, using Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Darnold and PJ Walker over the first two seasons.

Now a free agent, Cam Newton has surfaced as a potential starter with multiple injury-plagued teams. However, nothing has materialized.

As the Patriots starter in 2020, Newton threw for 2,657 passing yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 592 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over 15 games.

Sam Darnold injury update

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold will be placed on injury reserve without a definitive return date. On Wednesday, head coach Matt Rhule said Darnold is expected to miss at least four weeks. It was reported yesterday that Darnold has a fractured scapula in his right shoulder.

P.J. Walker is the current backup for the Panthers, but Rhule said they would “explore any and all options” when it comes to other quarterbacks, per Joe Person of The Athletic.

Walker, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of Temple, has played in seven games over two seasons. He made one start in 2020, a 20-0 Carolina victory over the Detroit Lions.

Cam Newton provides a more experienced option, but Matt Rhule does not seem eager to jump on the opportunity.

Darnold, a former first-round draft pick, joined the Panthers this offseason after a trade with the New York Jets. After a 3-0 start which offered every bit of promise the front office hoped for, Darnold has struggled to cope with the absence of running back Christian McCaffrey.

Over the first nine games, he threw for 1,986 yards, seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Darnold added 185 rushing yards and five touchdowns before suffering a concussion and shoulder injury last week against the New England Patriots.

Walker will be baptized with fire on Sunday, as the Panthers head to Arizona to face the 8-1 Cardinals. The game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox.