ESPN is ending its relationship with analyst Cam Newton as part of a broader round of talent layoffs, multiple sources have told OutKick. The network is expected to announce these departures as soon as Tuesday.
Newton, the former NFL MVP, had spent the past two seasons as a featured analyst on ESPN's "First Take." In his second season, he was elevated to serve as the primary debate partner for Stephen A. Smith on Mondays, the show's most-watched day of the week, replacing Shannon Sharpe.
ESPN is reportedly seeking a permanent replacement for Newton on the Monday editions of "First Take."
Separately, NFL analyst Ryan Clark is also expected to be among the on-air employees let go by the network, according to a Monday report from OutKick. The departures of both Newton and Clark will leave Smith without his two main analysts during the upcoming football season.
Last spring, Newton and Smith engaged in a public disagreement after Newton invited Jason Whitlock onto his podcast. Smith had previously expressed strong disapproval of Whitlock. Smith criticized Newton for not defending him when Whitlock questioned aspects of Smith's 2023 memoir. Newton responded that he believed there was "nothing to correct" in Whitlock's remarks.