Cam Newton admitted that he's not actually retired. Though he's implied he is now a podcaster in the past, before joining ESPN's First Take and becoming an analyst, anyway, he struck a different tone after the Indianapolis Colts signed Philip Rivers to their practice squad with plans to start him against the Seattle Seahawks.
Newton said he will not officially retire "because of an opportunity like this.” Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio backed that idea up, believing the Colts may regret not giving Newton the opportunity Rivers is about to get.
Florio admitted that Rivers was sensible given his past experience with Nick Sirianni in 2020. Sirianni molded current Indianapolis offensive coordinator Shane Steichen during their time together with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Florio also sent a harrowing reminder to Colts fans that Newton, who's eight years younger and played in the NFL more recently, was available.
"At another level, it appears that Rivers became the Colts’ intended emergency option after Anthony Richardson landed on injured reserve and the Colts didn’t trade for a veteran backup to Daniel Jones. Given Rivers’s knowledge of the offense and his extended history with head coach Shane Steichen, it made sense for the Colts to tell Rivers to stay ready for a potential bat signal, in the event Jones suffered a season-ending injury," Florio wrote.
"Still, some would say Newton is far closer to Batman than Rivers. Unless Rivers rips it up right away, it will be fair to wonder if someone else (like Newton) would have been a better choice."
Philip Rivers almost signed with Auburn
Rivers, a star with the Athens Golden Eagles, was heavily recruited by AU for their 2000 recruiting class. Ultimately, the Tigers were offering something Rivers wanted no part of which led him to the NC State Wolfpack: snaps at tight end.
“Auburn recruited me hard, but Jason Campbell was a part of that same class,” Rivers said in 2020. “They had an undefeated season when he was there, and he had a good career in the NFL. I wasn’t so much scared of the competition as they mentioned the words 'tight end' to me. That made me a little nervous.
“Had I been a tight end at Auburn, this would have been my 17th year coaching instead of playing in the NFL. I wanted to play quarterback, and N.C. State was the first school that recruited me. There is something about that school that wants you and wants you to be their guy.”
Newton ended up with a legacy on the Plains. Rivers will get the chance to further his legacy on the Colts.
Maybe NFL teams will consider Newton now, knowing he feels ready to step in and play at any time.