This week, Los Angeles Chargers legend Phillip Rivers came out of retirement to sign with the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts.
Rivers, 44, has not played in the league since 2020, when he played with the Colts under then-head coach Frank Reich.
With Daniel Jones lost to the season with an Achilles injury, head coach Shane Steichen called Rivers to see if he had any interest in helping the 8-5 Colts try to make a playoff push. Rivers could start on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks amid rookie quarterback Riley Leonard battling a knee injury.
Cam Newton expressed his outrage with the Colts’ decision not to give him an opportunity.
“It’s almost like a slap in my face, bro,” Newton said on the “4th&1 Podcast with Cam Newton” on Thursday. “I ain’t going to lie.”
Newton, 36, last played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers in 2021. He has not retired and said he does not intend to retire in the near future as he hopes to have an opportunity to join a team like Rivers did this week.
“I did not and will not–because of an opportunity like this,” Newton said.
Newton claimed he is staying in shape in case an opportunity comes his way. For now, the phone isn’t ringing.
Newton won the NFL MVP in 2015. He’s appeared in 148 games and started 144 games in the league. He’s thrown for 32,382 yards, 194 touchdowns, and 123 interceptions. The former Auburn national champion rushed for 5,628 yards and 75 touchdowns.
Newton started in five games for the Panthers and appeared in eight games in 2021. He threw for 684 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He added 230 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Newton was the No. 1 overall pick by the Panthers in 2011.
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