Cam Newton, who is eight years younger than Philip Rivers, and wonders why the Colts never even touched base with him when they were in search of a quarterback.
The 36-year-old spoke on the 4th&1 with Cam Newton show, describing Rivers’ signing with the Colts at 44 as something that felt “almost like a slap to my face.”
Newton also questioned the idea that he has moved into a media role and would be unavailable for a return, asking with some incredulity, “Did Philip Rivers send any hints that he was available? Why are you asking me to do something that everyone else didn’t do?” He noted that he has not officially retired and is still staying in shape.
It’s fair to say Newton, like many others, was astonished when the Colts added Rivers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Rivers was signed to the Colts’ practice squad, which highlighted how desperate the AFC South club was for depth at quarterback.
The situation was compounded by a string of injuries around the team: Daniel Jones is out for the season with an Achilles injury, Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve due to a broken orbital bone, and Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury after entering Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars to relieve Jones.
If Leonard, whom head coach Shane Steichen said could be available for the upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks, cannot play, the Colts would be left with Brett Rypien as their only active quarterback from the practice squad.
Rivers’ addition was, in fact, an unlikely move.
He hasn’t played since 2020, though he was effective in that year for Indianapolis, completing 68 percent of his passes for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, with an 11-5 record as a starter.
Rivers may be 44, but that 2020 season was stronger than Newton’s last stint on the field in 2021, when he went 0-5 as a starter for the Panthers, completing 54.8 percent of his passes for 684 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Newton has a storied résumé—MVP, Rookie of the Year, and three-time Pro Bowler who could make plays with both his arm and legs—but that dynamic, versatile quarterback is not the same player he was in recent years.
