Carolina Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney issued a statement on Tuesday morning confirming that the team is actively looking to trade veteran quarterback Cam Newton. Newton has since denied that he ever demanded to be traded but the fact remains, the two sides will be parting ways after a nine-year marriage.

And it didn't take long for the Panthers to find their replacement quarterback, as the team has reportedly reached a three-year deal with Teddy Bridgewater. According to reports, the contract is worth roughly $20 million annually.

Cam Newton's run with the Carolina Panthers is coming to an end, but he claims it's not because he demanded a trade.

On Tuesday morning, Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney issued a statement revealing that the team has granted Newton's agent permission to seek a trade. However, the veteran quarterback insists that he never asked to be traded and is instead being "forced into this."

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

In response to the Panthers' social media post announcing that they've given Cam permission to seek a trade, the former MVP replied (in his signature font), "Stop with the world play!! I never asked for it!! There is no dodging this one; I love the Panthers to death and will always love you guys!! Please do not try and play me, or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this; you forced me into this!!"

Longtime Panthers tight end Greg Olson sided with Newton in his reaction to the team's statement, as seen in the screen shots embedded below.

The Carolina Panthers have reportedly granted Cam Newton permission to seek a trade, bringing to an end his nine-year run with the franchise. Panthers General manager Marty Hurney confirmed the reports on Tuesday morning, as he explained that the organization will work with Newton's agent to ensure a trade that is in the best interest of both parties.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Newton, who will turn 31 in May, has suffered a number of shoulder and foot issues since his MVP season in 2015, including the Lisfranc injury that limited him to just two games last season. GM Matt Hurney issued the following statement on Tuesday regarding the imminent trade.

"One of the distinct pleasures of my career was selecting Cam with the first pick in the 2011 draft," Hurney said. "Every year difficult decisions are made and they are never easy. We have been working with Cam and his agent to find the best fit for him moving forward and he will always be a Carolina Panther in our hearts."

The Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the teams searching for a new starting quarterback, as are the New England Patriots, who learned today that Tom Brady will be playing elsewhere next season. Newton, the 2011 No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn, is owed $18.6 million in 2020 and is slated to become a free agent in 2021.

Cam Newton's future with the Carolina Panthers remains uncertain and there's a growing belief that his nine-year run with the team could end before the start of the 2020 NFL season. Newton still has one year left on his contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent and new head coach Matt Rhule has expressed a desire to move forward with Cam as the starter - but there are still rumblings that he could be traded to a team like the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

CBS Sports' Jason La Confora quotes his "longtime NFL source" as saying that Raiders coach Jon Gruden is ready to move on from Derek Carr.

"If he (Newton) is healthy this is a great fit. (Jon) Gruden knows all of these quarterbacks from studying them and meeting them at ESPN. I could see him buying low on Cam. He's ready to move on from (Derek) Carr. The Panthers need draft picks and the Raiders have plenty."

La Confora also notes that his trusted source isn't the only insider who is predicting that the Raiders will move on from Carr. Writes La Confora, "I have heard similar sentiments from other well-connected sources about this proposition and have yet to encounter a trusted source in the NFL who believes Carr will be back with the Raiders."