Cam Newton believes Tom Brady will be an L.A. Charger next year ... this according to Shawne Merriman, who says the Panthers QB predicted it to him at the Super Bowl this month!
"He thinks that Tom is going to come to the Chargers," Merriman tells TMZ Sports.
Of course, it really could happen ... L.A. just gave Philip Rivers the boot, and TB12 is a free agent.
Merriman, though, says he doesn't see it going down that way -- the Chargers legend jokingly says he HATES Tom -- and tells us the right fit to replace Philip is actually Cam himself!