Bills GM: Cam Newton is ‘misunderstood’

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane is a big backer of Cam Newton.

Beane worked with the Carolina Panthers from 1998-2016 and was part of the front office when they drafted Newton No. 1 overall in 2011. Beane got hired by the Bills in 2017 and owes part of his success to Newton, who helped the Panthers become successful, which reflected well upon Beane.

During a recent podcast interview with “Pardon My Take,” Beane complimented Newton and described the free agent quarterback as “misunderstood.”

“I wouldn’t be in my seat right now if we didn’t have the success that we had — obviously the 15-1 season we had in Carolina. So Cam’s a guy I root for. I think he deserves another chance,” Beane told the hosts. “It’s unfortunate the injuries the last couple years have slowed him down, and I’m sure there’s some doubt around the league.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever talked to him, but he’s probably a little bit of a misunderstood guy,” Beane said of Newton. “People aren’t sure, ‘what would I be bringing into my locker room?’ I think whoever signs Cam is going to know this guy’s got a chip on his shoulder right now. I know how he’s wired. He feels doubted. I think he’s in a strong spot. When he’s doubted, he’s going to try and prove people wrong.”

Beane also praised Newton as a winner, noting the quarterback won at both stops in college — without much help — and won in the NFL.

As for the chip on the shoulder, Newton has said as much and expressed how driven he is to be successful since being released by the Panthers this offseason. The 30-year-old former NFL MVP is still looking for a team and could wait until training camp to sign.