Greg Olsen Departure Should Eliminate Any Hope of Cam Newton Returning to Panthers

The Carolina Panthers were expected to undergo a organizational retooling after firing head coach Ron Rivera in favor of Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears. Considering the seven-year pact with the former college coach, the team was expected to make changes to his liking.

On Tuesday, the first domino fell, as former tight end Greg Olsen signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks. If that move proved anything, it's that the team won't be bringing back franchise quarterback Cam Newton for the 2020 season.

Considering Olsen was a Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist in 2017 and a pivotal piece to the Panthers' offense, it's not going to be a shock if the Panthers move on from Newton like they did his security blanket.

Newton is entering the final season of his five-year, $104 million deal with the Panthers. The past two years, Newton has dealt with shoulder and foot injuries, which limited him to just 16 games in that span.

This past week, team owner David Tepper fanned the flames of a change under center by sounding non-committal in regards to Newton's status with the team. That's usually never a good sign.

Newton is scheduled to undergo a physical in March, and if he passes the medical examination, that would allow the Panthers to open trade talks with interested teams. There will certainly be a bevy suitors, with the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts coming to mind.

Rhule was hired to mold the Panthers into his image, and based off the team's recent moves, Newton is not part of the team's plans.