As the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 takes its rightful place in Canton, a lot of fans are already looking ahead for what futue draft classes hold. So far, 382 members have been inducted into the notoriously stingy Pro Football Hall of Fame, with 26 quarterbacks making the cut.
However, over the next few years, some of the defining quarterbacks of this century are going to become eligible for a spot.
One such name on everyone’s minds is Cam Newton. Perpetually in the news thanks to his podcast, personality, and unfiltered comments, Newton was recently embroiled in a major feud with Jalen Hurts.
But, as we near the date for his eligibility into Canton, we take a look back at one of the most dynamic players in NFL history with a peak that is virtually unmatched by any other player in the sport.
The Hall of Fame Case for Cam Newton
The case for Newton is rather unusual compared to most other quarterbacks trying to make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His overall stats leave a lot to be desired, thanks to his relatively short career as a superstar starting quarterback.
However, the highs are so ridiculously high that it is hard to take away from his case. After offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Georgia, and Maryland, he committed to Florida as his program of choice to begin with.
His run with Florida, however, only lasted two years before he transferred to Blinn. After a solid showing, he eventually found his way to Auburn, which began a historic 2010 campaign for him. Leading them to a 14-0 record, his numbers both through the air and on the ground were outstanding.
As a passer, he tallied 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, while adding a ridiculous tally of 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns as a runner. His season was littered with accolades, as he took home the Manning, Davey O’Brien, Walter Camp, and Maxwell Awards.
Additionally, he was voted the College Football Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, while winning the most prestigious award in the entirety of college football, the Heisman Trophy. The consensus is that he is the first overall pick, and it wasn’t a surprise when the Carolina Panthers picked him to open the 2011 NFL Draft.
Spending nearly a decade with the team, Newton built a wholly unique legacy. During his time with the Panthers, he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011, and earned three Pro Bowl selections in his career, while making Carolina an overnight playoff threat. His best year came in 2015 when he won the Offensive Player of the Year and MVP Awards.
Leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record, he was sensational in his dual-threat capabilities, culminating in a spectacular playoff run to Super Bowl 50.
From then on, the injury bug caught Newton in a vice grip. As a result, he couldn’t reach his earlier heights, as he finished off his career after a one-year stint with the New England Patriots before returning to Carolina in 2021.
His stats don’t make the case for him, as he sits at just 32,382 passing yards in his career. However, his peak, especially the 2015 season, was an exceptionally brilliant year. He also still holds the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback at 75.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” his stance on a potential Hall of Fame induction was crystal clear.
“H*** yeah” is all Newton said about the honor. He’s a nominee for the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. However, his Pro Football Reference Hall of Fame Monitor Rating leaves a lot to be desired.
At 70.5, it is far away from the average of all quarterbacks currently in the Hall of Fame, 103.58. It might not be the ultimate deciding point, but the rating doesn’t spell a pleasant scenario for the former MVP.
When Is Newton Eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame doesn’t have many prerequisites for a player to be eligible for induction. Anyone can send a letter or email to pitch a player for inclusion. However, over a rigorous selection process, the final group is decided in due course of time.
The only real criterion for their pitching is the number of years since retirement. Any player must spend at least five years before he is officially eligible for a spot in Canton. In Newton’s case, since he last played for Carolina in 2021, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame Class of 2027.
