Cam Newton and Skip Bayless (Photos via Getty Images)

Former Carolina Panthers quarterback and 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton teed off on Skip Bayless in a scathing rant following news that the controversial sports media personality is leaving FS1.

Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post reported last week that Bayless will be leaving FS1 when his contract runs up this summer. Bayless has hosted the network’s “Undisputed” program since 2016, and Cam Newton didn’t mince words when discussing the veteran journalist’s departure.

During the latest episode of his “4th and 1” show, Newton told Bayless that he was never “the main attraction.” He referred to Shannon Sharpe (Bayless’ former co-host on “Undisputed” and Stephen A. Smith (Bayless’ former co-host on “First Take” at ESPN) as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, respectively.

“We’re seeing now that they carried you, instead of how you would make it seem, you carried them. You’re not the main attraction, Skip. You’re the co-host, being portrayed as if you were bigger…the real reality was you were the co-host. Sad.

Cam Newton also criticized Bayless for insulting Sharpe in a tense exchange on their show last year. Sharpe was critiquing Tom Brady when Bayless told the Hall of Famer that he had to retire at 35, whereas Brady was still playing at 45.

Skip Bayless left ESPN in 2016 to host “Undisputed” on FS1 with the Pro Football Hall of Famer in 2016. Since Sharpe’s departure last summer, however, FS1 has seen a significant drop in television ratings.

Smith has consistently delivered strong ratings on “First Take” since Bayless left ESPN nearly a decade ago. At the end of the day, television ratings don’t lie.

Cam Newton Has A Promising Future Behind The Camera

Though he hasn’t officially retired from football, it’s unlikely that Newton will play in the NFL again. He hasn’t been on a roster since the 2021 season, and his last healthy season was four years ago.

But Newton has developed a strong following for his “4th and 1” show, thanks to his outgoing personality and humorous analysis. Hopefully, it won’t be long before a major network like ESPN, FOX, NBC, or CBS picks up Newton and makes him a full-time NFL analyst.

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