Cam Newton has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his latest take on individual success versus team glory has put him under scrutiny. During an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” the former NFL MVP was asked if he’d trade his 2015 MVP award for a Super Bowl ring.
Ex-Panthers QB Cam Newton Didn’t Hesitate To Back Less Popular Opinion
While many expected the ex-Carolina Panthers quarterback to say, “Yes,” Newton firmly rejected the idea. “What’s more important? Impact or championships?” His response caught the panelists off guard. He didn’t hesitate to speak his mind, pointing out that players like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson have rings, but their impact on the game pales in comparison to what he accomplished individually.
“But if we’re being honest, the impact of you holding yourself accountable to say, everybody has a responsibility to do, and you can say as an MVP Award winner or an All-American, you’ve held yourself, or you’ve held your end of the bargain down. And that’s what it really comes down to for me,” the 35-year-old said.
Newton made it clear that his MVP award is a reward for his hard work and dominance, regardless of the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 loss to the Denver Broncos. “Football is not about one guy trying to do 11 jobs; it’s 11 guys doing one job,” he explained. Newton believes that his contributions to the game — redefining the quarterback position and setting records — matter just as much, if not more, than winning a championship.
“I’m taking individual success because I did my job,” he added. It’s a bold stance, especially in a league where championships often define legacies.
Stephen A. Smith: "Cam, if you could give back that league MVP for a Super Bowl championship, would you do it?"
Cam Newton: "No" pic.twitter.com/b1wVO2i7Nh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 30, 2025
The 2015 season was undoubtedly Newton’s peak. He led the Panthers to a 15-1 record, throwing for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns while rushing for 636 yards and 10 more scores. He became just the second Black quarterback to win an MVP, rewriting history and establishing himself as a dual-threat QB.
Newton also holds the NFL record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, proving that his impact on the game extends far beyond that single season. While the majority may argue that winning a ring should be the ultimate goal, Newton sees reality in his stance: that football is the ultimate team sport — and one player can’t do it all alone, no matter how great.
Panthers fans may still wonder what it would have been like if Carolina had won the Super Bowl 50. Nevertheless, Newton’s place in NFL history is secure. His influence on the modern quarterback position is undeniable whether or not he ever lifted a Lombardi Trophy.
