Cam Newton Reflects on Commanders' Missed Reunion: 'It Hurt'

Cam Newton , the former NFL MVP , recently shared his frustrations about being passed over by his former head coach, Ron Rivera , during his tenure with the Washington Commanders . The Commanders’ second preseason game may be making headlines, but Newton’s candid reflections have ignited a different kind of conversation around what might have been.

During a recent episode of his 4th-and-1 podcast, Newton expressed deep disappointment in Rivera and other key figures from the Carolina Panthers who had transitioned to Washington. Despite their shared history, which included a trip to the Super Bowl and Rivera’s Coach of the Year accolade in 2015, Newton was never contacted by Rivera or the Commanders when he became available in 2020 after being released by the Panthers.

"I don’t know. It hurt me, though." said Newton "And it wasn’t just Ron Rivera. It was Marty Hurney. It was Ryan Vermillion. Everybody. It was the Panthers reincarnated in Washington." Newton shared during his podcast.

"You’ve been through the struggle with him. And then, to not get a call?" Newton Continued.

Related: Commanders' Offensive Standouts and Struggles

Rivera’s decision to pass on Newton in favor of veterans like Ryan Fitzpatrick and, later, Carson Wentz , ultimately assisted his downfall in Washington. Rivera’s struggles to solve the quarterback position were a major factor in his dismissal, and Newton’s comments underscore the missed opportunity for both parties.

Newton’s reflections highlight the challenges and missed connections that defined Rivera’s time in Washington, where the team’s ongoing search for a franchise quarterback continues to this day. As the Commanders move forward under new management and with a new quarterback in Jayden Daniels , Newton’s words serve as a reminder of the complexities and emotions involved in the business of football.