Cam Newton on First Take is basically an appointment viewing event at this point. You never really know what you’re going to get when the former MVP walks onto that set, usually rocking a hat that looks like it belongs in a high-fashion museum and a suit that costs more than my car. It's electric. Whether he's debating Stephen A. Smith about "game managers" or breaking down why a specific quarterback doesn't have "that look," Cam brings an energy that most retired players simply can't replicate.
He’s loud. He’s unapologetic. He's exactly what the show needs.
For years, First Take was defined by the shouting matches between Stephen A. and whoever happened to be sitting across from him. But Cam changed the chemistry. When Cam Newton is on First Take, he isn't just a guest; he's a presence that forces the room to recalibrate. He doesn't just talk about football—he talks about the culture of the league, the mindset of a franchise player, and the harsh reality of being under the microscope in a way that feels raw. It’s not the polished, PR-heavy speak we get from Sunday morning pregame shows. It’s "Superman" letting us behind the curtain, even if he rubs some people the wrong way in the process.
The Brock Purdy "Game Manager" Firestorm
If you want to understand the impact of Cam Newton on First Take, you have to look at the "game manager" debate that basically broke the sports internet for a month. Cam sat there and flat-out said that guys like Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, and Tua Tagovailoa were game managers, not "game changers."
The backlash was instant.
Stephen A. Smith looked like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, and every 49ers fan in existence jumped into his mentions to remind him of Purdy's stats. But here is the thing about Cam: he doesn't care about your spreadsheets. He views the game through the lens of a guy who had to carry an entire organization on his back. To Cam, if you aren't the primary reason your team wins—if you're just the guy making sure the car doesn't go off the road—you're a manager.
It was a fascinating moment of television because it highlighted the massive gap between how media members evaluate players and how players evaluate each other.
Cam wasn't backpedaling, either. He doubled down. He tripled down. He went on his own "7v7" podcast to clarify, then came back to the First Take desk to defend his stance against Molly Qerim and Shannon Sharpe. It’s that refusal to bend to the popular narrative that makes his appearances so viral. You might think he’s dead wrong, but you’re going to watch because he believes it with every fiber of his being.
Why the Hat Matters: Style and Substance
People love to clown Cam for his outfits. The hats, the feathers, the glasses—it’s a lot. But on First Take, the wardrobe is part of the brand. It signals that he’s not trying to fit into the traditional "broadcaster" mold.
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He’s not Troy Aikman in a navy blazer.
That individuality extends to his takes. When he talks about the "aura" of a player or the way a locker room reacts to a specific type of leader, he’s pulling from a decade of being one of the most polarizing and talented figures in the NFL. There’s a specific nuance he brings when discussing the pressure of being a black quarterback in a league that hasn't always been kind to that archetype.
The Chemistry with Stephen A. Smith
Watching Stephen A. Smith navigate a segment with Cam Newton is like watching two heavyweight boxers who actually respect each other's power. Stephen A. is used to being the loudest voice in the room, but Cam has a physical and vocal gravity that matches him.
They play off each other perfectly.
- Stephen A. brings the institutional knowledge of a journalist who has been in the pits for thirty years.
- Cam brings the "I've actually done this" credibility of a Heisman winner and NFL MVP.
- The result is a conversation that feels less like a rehearsed TV segment and more like a debate you'd hear at a barbershop in Atlanta or Charlotte.
The "Game Changer" vs. "Game Manager" Philosophy
Let’s get deeper into that philosophy because it’s the core of why Cam is so compelling. When Cam Newton appears on First Take to discuss quarterback play, he is looking for the "it" factor. He famously categorized the elite tier as guys who make the plays when everything breaks down. Patrick Mahomes. Lamar Jackson. Josh Allen.
He argued that if you take Brock Purdy off the 49ers, they’re still a playoff team. But if you take Lamar off the Ravens? They’re picking in the top ten.
That’s a controversial take because it devalues the efficiency and processing power of "system" quarterbacks. Critics pointed out that Cam’s own career was often marred by inaccuracy, while the guys he labeled "managers" were completing 70% of their passes. But Cam’s point—which he made repeatedly on the show—is that the NFL is a league of moments. In the fourth quarter, with the season on the line, do you have a guy who can create something out of nothing?
It’s an old-school mentality. It’s the "alpha" mindset that dominated the league in the 2000s and 2010s. Seeing him defend that perspective in 2024 and 2025 against the backdrop of modern analytics is fascinating. He represents the soul of the game, while the analysts represent the math.
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Handling the Criticism
One thing you have to admire about Cam on the First Take set is his skin. It’s thick.
He gets cooked on social media every time he opens his mouth. People bring up his completion percentage, his Super Bowl fumble (or non-recovery), and his late-career struggles with the Patriots. Most guys would get defensive and start listing their accolades.
Cam just smiles.
He understands the theater of it all. He knows that being a "villain" to some fans is just as profitable as being a hero. When he sits at that desk, he isn't looking for universal approval; he’s looking to spark a conversation. He’s leaning into the "influencer" era of sports media where engagement is the only currency that matters.
The Impact on the Show's Ratings
It is no secret that ESPN has been leaning into "personality-driven" content. The departure of guys like Max Kellerman and the shift toward a rotating cast of analysts—including Shannon Sharpe, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, and Cam—has kept the show at the top of the morning ratings.
Cam specifically brings in a younger, more diverse audience.
His YouTube clips regularly outperform the more "standard" football analysis videos. Why? Because people want to see if he’s going to say something wild. They want to see the "Superman" celebration or the way he uses nicknames for everyone on set. He calls Stephen A. "SA" and has a shorthand with the crew that makes the audience feel like they’re in on the joke.
What People Get Wrong About Cam's Analysis
The biggest misconception is that Cam is just "hating."
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When he critiques a player, he’s usually doing it from a place of high expectations. He knows what greatness looks like. He’s seen it. He’s been it. When he looks at the current crop of NFL stars, he’s evaluating them against the giants he played against.
He’s also surprisingly honest about his own shortcomings when pressed. He doesn't pretend he was a perfect passer. He knows his game was built on physicality and intimidation. That self-awareness, though often buried under layers of swagger, is what gives his analysis actual weight.
Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're watching Cam Newton on First Take, don't just focus on the headlines. Look at the nuance of what he's saying about the "unwritten rules" of the league.
- Watch the body language. Cam often talks about how a QB carries himself on the sidelines. According to him, that's just as important as the box score.
- Understand the "System" vs. "Individual" debate. Use Cam’s "game manager" criteria to look at your own team. Is your QB a floor-raiser or a ceiling-raiser?
- Appreciate the transparency. We are in an era where athletes are more accessible than ever, but few are as candid about the ego involved in professional sports as Cam.
The reality is that sports television is changing. It’s becoming more about the "vibe" and the personal brand than the X’s and O’s. Cam Newton is the king of this new world. He’s managed to transition from an NFL superstar to a media powerhouse by simply being the most authentic version of himself—hats, controversial takes, and all.
Whether you love him or hate him, you're going to keep clicking. And as long as he's sitting across from Stephen A. Smith, First Take is going to remain the loudest, most interesting room in sports media.
To get the most out of these segments, try to look past the "clickbait" titles on YouTube and listen to his explanations of pocket presence and locker room dynamics. There is a lot of high-level football IQ hidden behind the feathers and the catchphrases if you're willing to actually listen to the logic of a man who won at every level of the game.
Next Steps for Following the Conversation:
Follow Cam's "7v7" podcast alongside his First Take appearances to see where he provides the "director's cut" of his televised arguments. It often provides the context that gets edited out for the 10-minute TV segments. You can also track the "QBR" (Quarterback Rating) of the players he critiques to see if the "game manager" stats actually align with his eye-test evaluations throughout the season.