Cam Newton throws massive shade at his former teammates in Carolina: “Locker room of losers”
Cam Newton didn’t mince his words while talking of the team culture in Carolina during his time, calling his former teammates "losers."

Cam Newton throws shade at his former teammates in Carolina (Via SI/Panthers Wire)
Cam Newton has always been a harsh critic but this time, his anger was directed towards his teammates from Carolina Panthers, with whom he spent 10 seasons of his NFL career. The former dual-threat star didn’t mince his words while talking of the team culture in Carolina during his team.
While appearing on Travis Hunter’s podcast ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, Newton stirred controversy with his unfiltered take in the locker room of the Panthers, who haven’t been able to win a single Super Bowl in more than a century’s existence and continue to deteriorate with each passing season.
The former Panthers quarterback’s remark came as advice to the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who’s projected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, about the challenges of joining a struggling team. Then whether it was a slip-of-tongue or he genuinely meant it, Newton called his former teammates a “locker room of losers.”
My issue was when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers. Guys didn’t know how to win, guys didn’t know how to prepare, it was a culture shock for me…The games don’t mean a lot to a lot of people in the league like you would expect. It’s just money. Not everybody has the ability to be impact players, they’re just players.
Cam Newton asserted
Cam Newton hopped on Travis Hunters’ show and dropped a GEM about being the #1 pick 💎@TravisHunterJr @CameronNewton pic.twitter.com/oJPsXALOEx
— Overtime (@overtime) February 7, 2025
The Panthers were indeed abysmal the season before Newton was drafted, going 2-14 and at the bottom of the NFC South and that’s why they got the No. 1 pick to draft Newton. And now more than a decade later, they are ranked second-last in the division with a 5-12 record.
Steve Smith Sr. cuts ties with Cam Newton after disrespectful remarks on Panthers
Although Newton was talking for Hunter’s benefit only, a rift has emerged between him and his former teammate Steve Smith Sr., who is immensely hurt by Newton’s remarks. He went to his social media to express his distress and while doing so, he made a bold declaration of ending all ties with the ESPN analyst.

I’ve watched & listened from afar as U @CameronNewton talk about Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us with ur presence. The way you have talked about Panthers lately I’m very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I’m done !!!
Steve Smith Sr wrote on X
I've watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton
— Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) February 10, 2025
talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I'm very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I'm done !!! ✌️
Newton and Smith Sr. played three seasons together in Carolina and over the years, the five-time Pro Bowler has been the former quarterback’s biggest supporter. But not anymore as he affirmed that he would not tolerate the disrespect of the players with whom he played.