Jon Beason says his ex-team screwed over Cam Newton ... telling TMZ Sports by releasing the QB so late in free agency, Carolina really hurt his chances of finding a new job.
"It's just unfair for the player who's done so much for the organization," Beason says.
The Panthers tried to trade Cam earlier this month ... but when talks with teams never materialized into a deal, they flat-out cut him Tuesday.
Newton is now free to sign with anybody ... but, as Beason points out, it's so late in free agency, most teams either have the starting QB they want, or they're out of cap room to sign a former MVP.