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For Winless Panthers, Sticking With Cam Newton Is The Right Call ... For Now

This article is more than 4 years old.

The Carolina Panthers have found themselves in a peculiar situation. They have in Cam Newton one of the most popular players in the NFL, a former MVP and the face of their franchise, struggling to find his rhythm this season. For the last decade, the Panthers have been defined by the rise and fall of Newton’s production. In their greatest season as a franchise, Newton led the team to a 15-1 record and just their second trip to the Super Bowl while throwing for 35 touchdowns and rushing for another 10. However, past glory doesn’t help win games in the present. The team is winless in their first two outings and Newton has taken responsibility for the team’s shortcomings. But words can only go so far and it is unclear how effective Newton can be on the field at this point in his career. And yet, for everyone involved, it makes the most sense to allow Newton to play out the season– even if it ends up being their last together.

The Panthers pride themselves on stability. Before Newton and Head Coach Ron Rivera, it was John Fox and Jake Delhomme. In a league where teams cycle through coaches and quarterbacks, the Panthers have stayed loyal and it has often reaped benefits. Yet, just like the Fox and Delhomme era, there’s always a breaking point. Health issues plagued Delhomme before being released in 2010, despite signing a five year extension the previous summer. Things change quickly in the NFL.

However, Newton has an advantage that could save him. For better or worse, Newton has always had a significant appeal with the media and advertisers. Coming into the league, he signed the richest shoe deal in NFL history for a rookie with Under Armour. In 2016, he was the highest paid athlete in the NFL. If he can turn things around for himself and the team, the Panthers could benefit in a way that couldn’t be matched by some other lesser-known quarterback. The fact remains that as a brand, few can compete with Newton. That alone is worth the risk of staying with him for at least a few more weeks, if not the rest of the season. His success makes the Panthers part of the national conversation, which is not something that can be easily replicated or replaced. The NFL is a business and the Panthers understand that.

Of course, the team needs to prioritize winning over anything else. However, it isn’t yet clear that there is a significantly better option out there for the team. Newton’s backup Will Grier is a rookie that the team drafted in the third round and Kyle Allen has played all of two games in his career. If the team truly was ready to move on from Newton, they would be best to do so in the draft next year when big name talents like Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts are all currently projected to be first round picks.

For now, the Panthers need to stay the course, not overreact to a few poor games and see if they can right the ship with their star quarterback. There’s simply too much upside for the team should they find a way to win. However, it is well past time where Newton’s job should be considered safe. After last season’s disappointment and this year’s rough start, the pressure is certainly on.