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Cam Newton returns to Panthers

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Carolina Panthers are bringing back Cam Newton.

Newton agreed to terms with the team that drafted him first overall in 2011, the Panthers announced Thursday. The deal is worth up to $10 million for the rest of the year and includes $4.5 million fully guaranteed and a $1.5-million roster bonus, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The signing comes after the club lost Sam Darnold for four-to-six weeks due to a shoulder injury.

The 32-year-old Newton enjoyed plenty of success during his first stint in Carolina. His best showing came in the 2015 campaign when he threw for 35 touchdowns and ran in 10 additional scores to claim the league MVP award. His 2015 performance led to a Super Bowl appearance, but the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos.

Carolina head coach Matt Rhule expressed his willingness to add a passer Wednesday, telling reporters that the organization would explore "all options" following Darnold's injury.

However, the Panthers were lacking in quarterback play even before Darnold went down - the signal-caller has thrown an NFL-leading 11 interceptions to seven touchdown passes.

Darnold was in the midst of a troubling stretch following a 3-0 start to the year. He's lost five of his last six starts while completing four touchdown passes and 10 interceptions during that span. Darnold's slump culminated with a season-low 26.3 passer rating and three interceptions against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Rhule has repeatedly called for Darnold - who the franchise acquired in an offseason trade with the New York Jets - to step up amid Carolina's slide. The bench boss sidelined the third overall pick for P.J. Walker in a Week 7 loss to the New York Giants, but Darnold kept the starting job the following week.

The Panthers have struggled to find an answer at the quarterback position since their initial decision to move on from Newton in 2019. They signed Teddy Bridgewater to a three-year, $63-million contract in 2020, but the team traded him after just one season following the acquisition of Darnold.

Newton spent last season with the Patriots before they surprisingly released him ahead of the 2021 campaign. The former MVP averaged a career-low 177.1 passing yards per game with 10 interceptions to eight passing touchdowns during his lone year with New England. However, he did add 12 scores and 592 yards on the ground.

The Panthers, who sit just a half-game back of the NFC's final wild-card spot at 4-5, are planning to start Walker at quarterback Sunday while Newton gets up to speed, Rhule said Thursday, according to The Associated Press' Steve Reed.

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