Panthers asking Auburn football legend Cam Newton to be Bryce Young's backup is insulting

Cat Crave's Dean Jones has little interest in seeing Auburn football legend Cam Newton become Bryce Young's backup on the Carolina Panthers after the training camp injury to planned QB2 Andy Dalton.

"Newton hasn't formally announced his retirement as yet, but he's been out of the league since 2021 after a whirlwind return to the Panthers," Jones wrote. "He's currently embarking on the next stage of his career as a blossoming media personality. Coming back to Carolina for nothing more than a stop-gap role is insulting, in all honesty."

Insulting as it may be to some, there is logic to Newton being a backup to Young. At this stage in his career, Newton is more limited throwing the ball; barring an effective healing process the past two years away. He offers the kind of goal line presence Young never will.

They already have a relationship. Newton already mentors the fellow former Heisman winner. If Newton is going to return in 2024, it'd be right now with Dalton out.

Of course, as Jones points out, Newton could be a mentor in the same capacity he currently is while continuing to pursue greatness in the podcasting vertical.

"Dan Morgan wouldn't ask a team legend to fill such a role," Jones prefaced beore saying, "He respects those who laid than fabric of the organization's culture far more than previous regimes. Newton can offer encouragement and advice to Bryce Young without being part of the team. He's already done that this offseason."

Auburn football legend Cam Newton likely staying retired

In February, it seemed like Newton did, in fact, announce his retirement.

“I’m not a football player no more,” he said (h/t Boardroom). “I’m a YouTuber.

“So you’re asking me, ‘Okay Cam, are you still playing football?’ My answer is ‘Hell no.' But I’m busier than I’ve ever been because I could take what football taught me and implement it in every single one of my businesses. The structure, the discipline, the sacrifice, the mental stamina that’s needed. And that’s the conversation. The grind. The joy is in the journey.”

There's no purpose for Newton to return to a franchise that still looks far away from a title. Only a heroic return is worth leaving his budding media career given the seemingly endless hits he's taken for the past two decades.