Considering the ebs and flows of the National Football League, those who tune in might believe franchises are willing to sacrifice a year or two for the greater good. Former NFL MVP Cam Newton is here to tell the people who believe such that they're wrong.
Newton was asked about the Las Vegas Raiders' offseason moves and whether or not the contract extension they gave Maxx Crosby or the trade they made for Geno Smith make them a legitimate bunch for next season.
"Let me tell you something, and a lot of fans always say this, like, 'A lot of franchises are in a rebuilding phase,'" Newton said last Thursday on his podcast, "4th&1 with Cam Newton." "Let me tell you. There's no such thing as a (expletive) rebuilding stage in a franchise. Nobody ever admits that. The only time you rebuild is at the end of the year."
Newton used the Washington Commanders as an example. At this time last year, Dan Quinn's team was preparing to make the No. 2 selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. They'd gone 4-13 and finished last in the NFC East the season before with Ron Rivera, Newton's former head coach in Carolina, at the helm.
With rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels at the controls of the offense, the Commanders went 12-5 last season and reached the NFC Championship game. Newton believes players always feel an urgency to succeed.
"It's not that you wanna win - you have to win now," Newton said. "These contracts are just placeholders. ... Respectfully, everybody's just on a one-year deal. They'll find a way, in the contract, to find loopholes.
"Even if they have to pay you to get rid of you, they will do that. And will do that and remind you, 'We don't need you.'"
Related: Commanders Star Rookie Daniels Continues to Shine
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM.