The 2023 NFL season has been filled with injuries, specifically to the quarterback position. Many teams are down to their second, third–, or even fourth-string quarterbacks. Several teams have had to acquire quarterbacks during the season to serve as fill-in options, yet former NFL MVP Award winner Cam Newton is not one of those quarterbacks.
While being a free agent, Newton hosts a podcast titled Funky Friday with Cam Newton, where he has conversations ranging from relationships to the NFL. In a recent episode, Newton discussed what distinguishes a "difference maker" at the quarterback position from a "game manager," referencing multiple established and successful starting quarterbacks.
Newton lists San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff, and Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa, saying "they’re not difference makers."
"They’re not winning because of him," Newton said of Purdy and his contributions to the 49ers success this season. ESPN’s Kimberley Martin was not a fan of Newton’s comments and addressed them directly on Get Up, implying that Newton can’t be one to talk given the fact that he is still a free agent even with the current state of the quarterback position across the NFL.
"In the year of 2023 where it’s all about NFL backups, where is Cam [Newton]? Not on an NFL roster, right?" Martin said emphatically. "He sounds like the people literally tweeting at me from their basement like ‘get back in the kitchen. Like you are at home, watching me," Martin added.
