Cam Newton to Expand ESPN ‘First Take’ Role After Shannon Sharpe Exit

Cam Newton is spreading his wings on First Take. 

The former MVP quarterback is expanding his role on ESPN’s daily morning debate show hosted by Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith, sources told Front Office Sports. Newton began appearing regularly on Fridays during football season last October. Now, he has signed a multi-year deal, and the network expects to have him on more than once a week. 

The situation will be “fluid” as Newton has other responsibilities, including his 4th and 1 podcast with Blue Wire and 106 and Park on BET. 

An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment when asked about Newton’s role. 

Newton was the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft after starring at Auburn during an undefeated national championship season and winning the Heisman Trophy. He played the vast majority of his NFL career, which spanned until 2021, for the Panthers, except for the 2020 season, which was spent in New England. 

Newton’s past appearances on ESPN have demonstrated that he has an ability coveted by many media executives: getting under people’s skin in a way that they feel they must react to him, as opposed to ignoring his opinions and moving on with their day. 

Elsewhere in the First Take universe, Shannon Sharpe was dismissed from the program this offseason. Sharpe recently settled a sexual assault lawsuit brought by his former girlfriend. 

Interestingly, Sharpe’s Nightcap podcast cohost, Chad Ochocinco, has also been lobbying for the job of joining First Take.