Newton benched in blowout loss to Dolphins

The Carolina Panthers benched quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday after he struggled mightily in a 33-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Newton, in his second start of the year, went 5-for-21 for 92 yards and two interceptions. He signed a one-year contract on Nov. 11 to return to the Panthers after Sam Darnold went down with a shoulder injury.

"This is the NFL. Nothing's promised," Newton said postgame, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. "Just because Cam Newton's on your roster doesn't mean you're just gonna win. Just because it's a feel-good story doesn't mean you're gonna win. I'm well aware of that."

P.J. Walker replaced Newton on the Panthers' first offensive series of the fourth quarter, finishing the afternoon with 87 yards and no touchdowns against one interception on 5-for-10 passing.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said he plans to keep Newton as the starter, according to Ellis L. Williams of the Charlotte Observer, adding Walker entering the game was a product of "him knowing the two-minute offense better."

Newton seemingly sparked the Panthers in Week 10, coming off the bench to score two touchdowns in a win over the Arizona Cardinals. He registered three more touchdowns in Week 11, but the Panthers lost to the Washington Football Team.

The 2015 MVP spent nine seasons in Carolina before the team released him in March 2020. He spent the following campaign with the New England Patriots, who cut him at the end of the 2021 preseason.

The Panthers have shuffled through quarterbacks throughout the year, giving at least one start to Darnold, Walker, and Newton.

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