Just three years ago, Cam Newton was the league’s MVP who led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance. The past two years haven’t gone nearly as well for him, and now Newton is on the “hot seat” according to David Newton of ESPN.com. He notes that 2018 will be a big year for Newton as he starts anew with a new offensive coordinator and scheme.
“If he doesn’t show improvement after consecutive down years, there will be a lot of questions about his future” he writes. Newton is the face of the franchise, but the team could theoretically get out of his contract relatively easily after this season. It would be shocking if it happens, but according to this report, it’s not totally inconceivable that the end of the Cam Newton-era in Carolina could be near if he doesn’t turn things around this season.
Here’s more from the league’s southern divisions:
- Corey Davis “was one of the stars” of the Titans’ early offseason workouts, according to Jim Wyatt of Titansonline.com. The fifth overall pick in 2017, Davis was somewhat limited by injuries last season, but still flashed a ton of potential. Wyatt notes that Davis “looked smooth during the offseason, snatching the ball out of the air with ease in traffic”, and that the team is “counting on Davis to make a big leap in Year 2.”
- Jameis Winston‘s suspension may have caught a lot of people by surprise, but it didn’t shock the Buccaneers, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Stroud writes that the Bucs had been bracing for the suspension for quite some time, and re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick back in March knowing they might need him to start some games.
- “The plan” is for Derrick Henry to be the Titans‘ lead back in 2018, according to Wyatt. The Titans signed Dion Lewis to a four-year, $20MM deal this offseason, but apparently view him as more of a complimentary piece.
No way Carolina moves on from cam. 2019 QB draft class is one of the weakest in a long time and I can’t think of too many perspective free agent QBs out there not named Kaep that would be worth a darn. (If Kaep would be worth a darn 2 years removed from playing.) maybe Bradford if Arizona moves on and he stays healthy all of 2018…but that’s a giant if.
When he’s on, he’s a top 10 QB.
Moving on from Cam would be beyond foolish.
Maybe our new owner would splash the cash on Ben Roethlisberger. [kidding]
Completely agree except for the part about Bradford. It’s never a question of if he will be hurt it’s when. Why does his name ever come up. He’s the definition of Fragile.
Did say giant if. In his defense he has had to play behind some of the worst o lines ever assembled. He took such a beating in St. Louis and on that garbage turf too….not completely his fault.
Bro this was an article to forget. Cam is Carolina.
Cam means more to Charlotte and North Carolina than just about anyone. He isn’t going anywhere. He will be a Panther for life.
I think that, if Funchess and McCaffrey continue improving, Olsen/Samuel get and stay fit and Torrey Smith performs, Cam might be okay.
What are your thoughts on DJ Moore?