EXCLUSIVE: ESPN to part ways with Cam Newton as part of talent layoffs that also included Ryan Clark

ESPN is parting ways with Cam Newton, multiple sources told OutKick.

The network will include Newton in a round of layoffs that could be announced as soon as Tuesday. OutKick reported Monday that NFL analyst Ryan Clark would be among the on-air employees let go.

ESPN featured Newton over the past two seasons as a debate partner for Stephen A. Smith on "First Take."

Last season, the network elevated Newton to replace Shannon Sharpe as Smith's primary Monday co-host during football season, the show's highest-rated day of the week.

Sources say ESPN will look for a permanent replacement for Newton on the Monday editions of the show.

Newton and Smith engaged in a public back-and-forth last spring after Newton invited Jason Whitlock, whom Smith has said he "hates with a passion," onto his podcast.

Smith criticized Newton for not defending him when Whitlock cited what he described as fabrications in Smith's 2023 memoir.

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Newton responded that he didn't challenge Whitlock because, in his view, there was "nothing to correct."

In any event, Smith will be without his two main analysts during the football season in Newton and Clark.

This is a breaking news story. Check back to OutKick for more news and analysis.