Cam Newton remains an unsigned free agent, and joining Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera might not be an option for the former Carolina Panthers No 1 overall pick.
Newton was released by the Panthers after missing most of last season due to a foot injury that required surgery. He had shoulder surgery prior to the 2018 season.
The Redskins hired Rivera, Newton’s coach for his entire Carolina career, after the Panthers fired Rivera in 2019.
“You know, the thing about Cam really is the situation,” Rivera said in an NFL Network interview on Thursday. “We’re in a situation where we’ve got two really young quarterbacks, one that’s been with us, been in the system, understands how we want things done, and the other one is a guy who was taken last year in the first round and shows some promise.
“I think with Cam, and I have thought about (signing him), I mean, it’s something that’s run through my mind, and it’s about the situation and circumstances. I’m not sure I would do it. I’m not sure if I wouldn’t do it. It depends on circumstances.”
Dwayne Haskins is the likely starter for the Redskins in 2020. The 15th overall pick in 2019 draft, Haskins and former Newton backup Kyle Allen are set to compete for the starting job prior to this season.
Newton, who is two weeks shy of his 31st birthday, Andy Dalton and Joe Flacco are among the veteran free agent quarterbacks on the market.
Colts No 2 quarterback Jacoby Brissett could also be available after Indianapolis signed Philip Rivers and drafted Washington’s Jacob Eason.
Chargers pick up Williams
The Los Angeles Chargers picked up the fifth-year option on the contract of wide receiver Mike Williams, the team announced Thursday.
The move keeps Williams under contract with the Chargers through the 2021 season.
Williams, 25, will make $825,000 in base salary in 2020 and $15.68 million in 2021, per Spotrac.
He will now be catching passes from either Tyrod Taylor or rookie Justin Herbert after Los Angeles elected to part ways with quarterback Philip Rivers after 16 seasons. Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, was the franchise’s all-time leader in wins, passing yards and touchdown passes. He signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
Williams followed up his 10-touchdown performance in 2018 by recording career-high totals in receptions (49) and receiving yards (1,001) in 2019. While Williams led the NFL with a 20.4-yard average per catch last season, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wideout only had two touchdown receptions, however.
Williams has collected 103 receptions for 1,760 yards and 12 touchdowns since being selected by the Chargers with the seventh overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
Dolphins waive sack leader Charlton
The Miami Dolphins waived Taco Charlton, a former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday.
Charlton, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Cowboys last September and had five sacks in 10 games (five starts) for Miami.
No other Dolphin had more than 3.5 sacks on the season, although three players had more QB hits than Charlton’s five, led by Vince Biegel with 13.
Charlton was due $1.8 million in 2020, the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Dolphins were never expected to exercise his fifth-year option for 2021, a decision that would have been required by May 4.
A former star at Michigan who had 10 sacks as a senior in 2016, Charlton was drafted 28th overall by Dallas in 2017. He has nine sacks and 16 QB hits in 37 career games (12 starts) in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. (TNS)
