Cam Newton isn’t officially retired - but he’s making it clear that if he’s going to return to the NFL, it won’t be as a backup. And with the Colts turning to a 44-year-old Philip Rivers instead of giving Newton a call, the former MVP isn’t hiding his frustration.
During a recent episode of the 4th & 1 podcast, Newton sounded off on the Colts’ decision to bring Rivers out of retirement to start in Week 15 against the Seahawks. Indianapolis, sitting at 8-5 and in the thick of the AFC South race, needed a quick fix at quarterback due to injuries. But Newton believes he should’ve at least been in the conversation.
“It’s almost like a slap in my face, I’m not even gonna lie,” Newton said. “I did not and will not retire because of an opportunity like this!
Did Philip Rivers send any type of signs that he is available? He’s 44 years old, bro!
How come you keep holding Cam Newton to a standard that you’re not holding everybody else to?”
That frustration isn’t coming out of nowhere. Newton hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, when he returned for a second stint with the Carolina Panthers. But he’s made it clear that his absence isn’t because he can’t play - it’s because he won’t settle for a role that doesn’t match his mindset.
In an earlier interview with Jemele Hill, Newton opened up about why he stepped away from the game after 11 seasons. The conversation turned to whether he’d be willing to return as a backup, and Newton didn’t hesitate with his answer.
“My personality is too big,” he said. “Do I think I could still play?
Yeah, hell yeah. Would I play if I was not a starter?
No.”
He went on to reflect on his 2020 season with the New England Patriots, where he started after signing a one-year deal. The Patriots finished 7-9, and when they drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Newton was released during final roster cuts.
Looking back, Newton admitted that the situation in New England was tough - not because he didn’t believe in his ability, but because of the circumstances he was thrown into.
“I knew Mac Jones was good. I didn’t think he was better than me,” Newton said.
“I think he had more grace than me because of the circumstance. I didn’t have a whole offseason.
I didn’t know the system. I was still learning the playbook in Week 6, 7, 8 - all the way throughout the whole season.”
“It was extremely difficult, and I just felt that my physical being and my knowledge of the game that I knew at that particular point was going to get me over the hump. And I did not give enough credit to the circumstance that I would be asked to be in.”
It’s a candid reflection from a player who’s always worn his heart on his sleeve. Newton isn’t just talking about X’s and O’s - he’s talking about identity, pride, and the challenge of adjusting to a league that often moves on quickly, even from former MVPs.
Since being cut by New England, Newton hasn’t signed with another team. But his numbers over 11 seasons still speak to the impact he had: 32,382 passing yards, 194 touchdown passes, and a style of play that helped redefine the dual-threat quarterback in the modern NFL.
Meanwhile, Mac Jones - the player who effectively replaced Newton in New England - has had a winding road of his own. After being traded to the Jaguars in 2024, he signed a two-year, $7 million deal with the 49ers in March. He’s seen action in 10 games this season, stepping in during Brock Purdy’s injury absence and throwing for 2,151 yards and 13 touchdowns.
But Newton’s comments this week aren’t about Jones, or even about Rivers, really. They’re about what it means to be overlooked, and the standard he believes he’s still capable of meeting - if given the chance.
At 44, Rivers is a stopgap solution for a Colts team trying to stay afloat in a tight playoff race. But Newton’s point is clear: if teams are willing to call on quarterbacks who’ve been out of the game for years, why hasn’t his phone rung?
Whether or not Newton ever takes another NFL snap, he’s not ready to close the book on his career. And if his words are any indication, he’s still holding out hope - but only on his terms.