Cam Newton on Colts signing Philip Rivers: ‘Like a slap in my face’
Philip Rivers hasn’t played in the NFL in several years. Neither does Cam Newton.
Rivers is in his 40s. Newton is in his thirties.
Rivers signed with the Indianapolis Colts this week. Newton hasn’t — and he’s taking it a little personally that the team hasn’t even contacted him.
“It’s almost like a slap in the face, brother,” Newton said on the latest episode of the “4th&1 with Cam Newton” podcast. “I’m not going to lie.”
Co-host Omari “Penny” Collins pointed out that NFL teams might not realize Newton is available because of his high profile as a podcaster and television personality.
Newton looked at Collins in disbelief before shouting his response.
“Did Philip Rivers send a sign that he was available? said the regular contributor to ESPN’s “First Take.” “Why are you asking me to do something that everyone else hasn’t done? I’m not an idiot. I’m not a lab rat. Come on, bro.”
Newton added: “People hold standards to people that they don’t even hold to everyone. And that’s what I don’t like. “Well, you haven’t shown that you [are available].’ Have you followed my Snapchat?
Rivers spent his first 16 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers and one more with the Indianapolis Colts before retiring after the 2020 season. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Rivers ranks in the NFL’s top 10 in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completions. He is currently a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, although his eligibility for that honor may soon be pushed back.
If Rivers ends up on their active roster – a distinct possibility with the multitude of quarterback injuries the Colts are dealing with – Rivers won’t be eligible for the Hall of Fame until five years after his retirement.
The signing reunites Rivers with Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen, his former quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator with the Chargers. The two men are close friends who speak on the phone every week. As coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, Rivers uses the same plays and terminology as Steichen.
But, as Newton pointed out to Collins, “he’s 44, bro.”
Newton, meanwhile, is 36 years old.
Drafted No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011, he was named league MVP in 2015 and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl that same year. His 75 career rushing touchdowns and 46 career games with passing and rushing touchdowns were both records for NFL quarterbacks until broken this season by Buffalo’s Josh Allen.
Newton hasn’t played since 2021, but he never officially retired.
“I haven’t done it,” he said, “and I won’t do it because of an opportunity like this.”
Newton speculated that teams might be scared off by his flamboyant personality. “They don’t want a circus,” he said.
He also joked that the Colts already have a star player wearing the No. 1 jersey — cornerback Sauce Gardner — and they knew “I gotta get No. 1.”
Newton was sure to state that he had nothing personal against Rivers, his “brother from another.” But Newton also made it clear that he wouldn’t hesitate to work for an NFL team that was truly interested in his services.
“I’m open for business,” he said. “But I want to be [with] who really wants me. If you don’t want me, don’t send flowers.
