Cam Newton, a prominent name in the NFL, remains a free agent and did not participate in the league last season, sparking questions among fans about his absence. Despite his expressed desire to continue playing, the interest from NFL teams appears to be minimal. This situation raises a pertinent question: Why isn’t Cam Newton playing today?
Newton himself has offered a potential explanation, suggesting that his personal style, particularly his hair, might be contributing to the lack of opportunities. In an interview with Josina Anderson on her podcast “Undefined,” Newton stated, “People have hinted to where they say like, ‘Cam, we want you to go back to the 2015 clean-cut Cam.’ But, that was a different me. The thing that is always mentioned is: ‘Cam, you’re scaring people with how you look.'” This comment implies that some teams might be hesitant to sign him due to his current image, diverging from his earlier, more conventional appearance.
However, this viewpoint has been met with skepticism and criticism. Jason Whitlock, a writer for The Blaze, openly criticized Newton’s comments, proposing that the lack of interest stems from a decline in his playing abilities and the potential “distraction” he might bring to a team. Whitlock controversially remarked on Newton’s “feminized identity” and questioned his hairstyle choices, stating, “Cam Newton thinks like a woman… Pro athletes, particularly Black jocks, they dress outrageously and use their stadium and arena entrances to walk the runway as models. It’s all supposed to be ‘cool’ and ‘hip.’ It’s feminine. They’ve adopted the personalities of women.”
Whitlock further elaborated on his perspective, suggesting that while teams might have tolerated Newton’s flamboyant style during his prime, it becomes a less palatable aspect when considering him as a backup quarterback. “But as a backup quarterback, no NFL team wants to deal with the distraction of Cam’s childlike feminized identity. No coach wants Cam influencing their starting quarterback to waste time on fashion, dreadlocks, and cornrows,” Whitlock added.
While Newton’s personal style and image have become talking points, the more likely reasons for his free agency are rooted in his on-field performance. Cam Newton’s career trajectory has experienced both peaks and valleys. Although he achieved MVP status in 2015, his recent performance statistics have not mirrored that level of play. NFL teams are primarily concerned with a player’s ability to contribute to their success on the field. For a quarterback, this means demonstrating strong passing accuracy, decision-making, and overall command of the offense.
Ultimately, the decision of NFL teams not to sign Cam Newton is probably a multifaceted one. While Newton’s comments about his hair and image have sparked debate, it is more probable that teams are evaluating his recent playing history, his current skill set, and how he would fit within their team dynamics. In the competitive landscape of the NFL, performance and perceived value to a team roster are typically the most decisive factors in player acquisitions, especially for the quarterback position.
