Cam Newton continues to settle into his post-playing career as a media personality, but his recent comments suggest he's trying a little too hard to be a headline merchant. On the latest episode of the 4th & 1 podcast, the host and former MVP took aim at the New York Giants' revamped roster.
Rather than focusing on how the new pieces might or might not fit together on the field, Newton chose to focus on potential personality clashes and division in the locker room.
"See, this team ain’t missing no ego... Cuz it sounds like a team full of GIANT egos," Newton claimed in the most over-the-top way possible. "A team full of GIANT celebration."
Anything for the bit I guess. His comments feel less like a roster breakdown and more like an attempt to rile up debate around a team that's suddenly getting a lot of national buzz again.
Cam Newton’s Giants take falls apart the second you look at it
Newton reserved his most specific criticism for the low-hanging fruit that is the return of Odell Beckham Jr., questioning whether the veteran wide receiver can coexist with the rest of the locker room:
“Odell ain’t going to the New York football Giants just to be a support player. He still has vision to be the best receiver in the game.”
Come on, Cam. You know that's not true. OBJ even admitted as much. He's not even guaranteed a roster spot, so why are we making the leap from 53-man hopeful to he's only coming back to try to be the best receiver in the game. Beckham's days of being the best in the league or even expecting to be the best are over.
He ignored what the signing actually was. Bringing Odell back alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster on non-guaranteed, veteran minimum contracts is about as low-risk as it gets. It's pretty clear based on the no guaranteed money and minimum dollars that egos will be brushed aside for another shot at making a roster. That felt implied.
Also, OBJ's desire to perform at a high level doesn't automatically create a toxic environment or qualify as an ego issue. Newton brought up OBJ's 2015 spat with former Carolina cornerback Josh Norman as proof he still has that bite in him... only problem is, he's about 11 years too late for that argument to hold any weight.
The entire bit carries a layer of irony, given that Newton himself built a highly successful career centered around an unapologetic, larger-than-life persona with his expressive celebrations and attention-grabbing outfits.
It wasn't only OBJ he went after, taking potshots at the durability of the roster. He lumped Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo together, predicting the group would spend the season trapped in the blue medical tent.
Yes, they all missed time last year due to injuries, but they feel more one-off than anything else. None of these players entered the league with chronic health concerns or an "injury-prone" red flag. Labeling them as collective health risks feels lazy.
Ultimately, the influx of opinions surrounding the G-Men all but confirms the Giants are so back. Why else would they be trying to make stuff up just to stir the pot?
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