Carolina Panthers say they are open to return of Cam Newton, who is weighing options for next season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers haven't ruled out re-signing quarterback Cam Newton, but the 2015 NFL MVP is exploring other options.

«I have teams that are interested in signing me,'' Newton told ESPN's Adam Schefter in a text. „I am waiting on the best fit as it pertains to winning a championship and getting a fair chance to play.''

Newton led the Panthers to an NFL-best 15-1 regular-season record and the Super Bowl in 2015. He has gone 30-36 as the starter since, 13-23 the past four seasons after a shoulder and foot injury diminished his effectiveness.

He went 7-8 as the starter in New England in 2020 after Carolina released the three-time Pro Bowl selection before Matt Rhule's first season as head coach.

The Panthers re-signed Newton late last season after starter Sam Darnold went on injured reserve. He went 0-5 as the starter, and was replaced by Darnold in the final game.

Rhule has been in contact with Newton since the end of the season.

“I love Cam Newton,'' Rhule said on Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in South Florida. „He's an amazing leader. He's an amazing football player. Everything we do has to be right for the organization, right for him.''

Whether Newton, who turns 33 in May, will want to return to a Carolina team that has gone 10-23 in Rhule's first two seasons and hasn't had a winning record since 2018 remains to be seen.

“It's not just us saying, 'Hey, Cam, come on back,''' general manager Scott Fitterer said last week. „He's got to want to come back. He's got to like the role, the situation. It's really just a fit for both of us.

“The door is open. I'd love to have someone with his leadership, his toughness. He brought so much to his team last year and stabilized us during a really hard