Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is a Heisman Trophy winner, a collegiate national champion, a JUCO national champion, a former first-rounder and a former NFL MVP, and yet, he’s humble enough to admit when he’s been outdone. This week, on his 4th and 1 Show, Newton responded to whether he believed he was the league’s greatest dual-threat quarterback ever. He said, with little hesitation, “No. Lamar Jackson.”
Though Newton retired with nearly 5,700 career rushing yards, second only to Michael Vick, he admitted both Vick and Jackson were/are faster where he’s more powerful.
“Lamar’s style is different than mine,” Newton said. “He’s got big plays any play. He’s got speed that I never had. And he’s just a legend. I played the game more powerful. I can run, but I’m going to probably get caught. Vick, Lamar, they ain’t getting caught.”
During his NFL career, Newton had a record-high 75 rushing touchdowns. Though Jackson trails significantly in rushing touchdowns, with 29, he’s already up to 5,258 rushing yards after just six seasons. He needs fewer than 1,000 yards to reach Vick’s record of 6,109 rushing yards by a quarterback. His average over his first six seasons is 876 rushing yards.
Newton says Trevor Lawrence deserved a massive payday
Newton applauded the Jacksonville Jaguars’ starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence last week for landing a massive $275 million contract extension. Lawrence surpassed Bengals QB Joe Burrow as the new highest-paid player in the league, as he’ll rake in potentially $282.5 million if he hits certain incentive marks.
Asked on his 4th&1 podcast this week whether the former Clemson quarterback is worth the deal he’s received, Newton had a decisive answer.
“Was he worth it? Hell yeah,” Newton said. “He’s from Georgia, the boy can play. Cartersville High School. College ball at Clemson. Boy could play. I tried to have Trevor Lawrence on my 7-on-7 team… but that year I had Justin Fields, so it still worked out.
“Is he being prepared the right way? I believe he is. And does he have the skill around him to really allow him to be great at what he does? I think he does… I know Trevor Lawrence was extremely happy when Joe Burrow got his deal… It just goes higher and higher and higher. He definitely is worth it. He’s a franchise player. The question is can we get the supporting cast around him to make his job easier?”
Despite agreeing that Lawrence is worth the money for the Jaguars, he also noted that the expectations will only soar from here on out. Winning just got a lot more expensive for Jacksonville, and he’ll need to deliver.
