Why Cam Newton Felt Disrespected By Philip Rivers's NFL Comeback With Colts

Karl Rasmussen | 4 Hours Ago

Cam Newton thinks he should’ve gotten a call from the Colts before they signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers. / Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Philip Rivers, at the ripe age of 44, returned to the NFL this week after signing a contract with the Colts. It’s been five years since he last took a snap in the league, but apparently Indianapolis saw enough in his workout to give him an opportunity following the season-ending injury to Daniel Jones.

That decision didn’t sit too well with another former quarterback who has been open to returning to the NFL: Cam Newton. During a recent episode of his podcast, “4th&1 with Cam Newton,” the former MVP said he felt disrespected that Rivers signed a new contract before he even received a phone call from the Colts.

“It’s almost like a slap in my face, bro. I’m not even gonna lie,” Newton said.

“I did not [retire] and will not. Because of an opportunity like this... I don’t give a damn if [Rivers] is in their family. He’s 44 years old, bro!” Newton added.

Newton then suggested another reason the Colts looked elsewhere in their quarterback search, suggesting his jersey number could create a conflict of interest between him and mid-season trade acquisition Sauce Gardner, who was acquired in a deal with the Jets in November.

“I know why the Indianapolis Colts didn’t sign me... Because their newest member, Sauce Gardner, wears No. 1,” he suggested.

Newton hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, when he rejoined the Panthers and appeared in eight games, including five starts. He went 0–5 as a starter that year and had four touchdown passes and five interceptions. In his last full season of work, Newton started 15 games for the Patriots in 2020. That year, he had eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The 36-year-old has been staying active and in football shape as he continues to hold out hope for another shot in the NFL. And Newton couldn’t help but express that he felt slighted by the Colts for luring the 44-year-old Rivers out of retirement rather than giving him an opportunity. Of course, Rivers has some familiarity with Indy, having finished his NFL career there in 2020. That connection certainly gave him a leg up over Newton, if the latter was ever even considered for the vacancy.

In his 11-year career, Newton completed 59.9% of his passes and had 194 passing touchdowns, 75 rushing touchdowns, and 123 interceptions.

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