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The Carolina Panthers came into the season with hopes and dreams of making a run to the Super Bowl. Spirits were high in Carolina when the team started out 6-2, but since then, the Panthers have not won a game. They are on a six-game losing streak with the most recent loss coming at home against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.
The defense played well enough to win as they held the high-powered Saints' offense to just 12 points. The problem was on offense. The Panthers were held to nine points and the route was not conventional.
Their touchdown came in the first quarter. On fourth-and one, Cam Newton handed it off to Christian McCaffrey, who backed up and threw to a wide open Chris Manhertz for a 50-yard score. The final two points came after the Saints scored a touchdown to take a 12-7 lead. They went for two to make it a seven-point game. On the play, Drew Brees was picked off by Donte Jackson who returned it 100 yards.
The Panthers got the ball back late in the fourth quarter needing a field goal to tie or a touchdown to win. But let's be serious, did anyone expect Cam Newton to lead a game-tying or winning drive? If you answered yes, you're either an optimistic Panthers fan or just fooling yourself.
Newton is having another pedestrian season. He has thrown for 3,395 yards with 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The eye test on Newton is simple. He is a big bodied quarterback who can run and absorb hits. If a defense forces him to throw the ball, he will not win a lot of games.
So, when asked if the Panthers should move on from Newton, the answer is yes. The question is, where do they go from here?
Newton's Career
Newton is a former number one pick of the Carolina Panthers. The former Auburn Tiger burst onto the scene in his rookie year where he threw for 4,051 yards. Let's not forget the Panthers were a losing team who had to pass a lot.
Since that season, Newton has failed to eclipse 4,000 yards again. This is a league where defenses are not allowed to touch offensive players without a penalty being called. Completion percentages for quarterbacks are inflated. Newton is completing 59.7 percent of his passes for his career. He has had five seasons under 60 percent.
Carolina's 2015 season is still referenced for good reason. The team finished 15-1 and Newton was named MVP of the league. He threw for 3,837 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 10 touchdowns on the ground. The Panthers ended their season with a Super Bowl loss and Newton sent in his worst performance of the year. He ended the Super Bowl 18-41 for 265 yards, an interception, and fumble lost.
In seven seasons prior, Newton has four losing seasons with the Panthers and they are on their way to another this year. The Panthers have a 70-55-1 regular season record and 3-4 in the postseason record since drafting the Auburn product.
Newton's inability to win the big game is something that has to have Carolina worried and is why they should hesitate before giving him a record deal. His lack of touch on his passes is also a concern. It is time to stop blaming the receivers.
Contract Negotiations
In 2016, Newton signed a five-year, $103 million contract to stay in Carolina. $60 million of that contract is guaranteed and he is earning $14.5 million this season. Newton will be a free agent after the 2020 season, but the Panthers have a decision to make in the near future. The team has a possible out after the season, where Newton could be released or traded away. Whether it is this year or in 2020, Carolina needs to move on.
Despite the nature of his contract, many would say Carolina has Newton cheap considering the recent contracts that are being landed at the position. Matt Ryan is making $30 million this season followed by Kirk Cousins at $28 million, Jimmy Garoppolo at $27.5 million, Matthew Stafford at $27 million, and Derek Carr at $25 million. Between those quarterbacks, there are no Super Bowl wins, one appearance, and not many playoff wins.
What does this tell you? Teams are panicking when it comes to quarterbacks and they are overpaying anyone who has been a consistent starter.
When the time comes for Newton to put pen to paper, his contract will surpass every other quarterbacks because it is a league of next man up. The most recent contract has to be higher than the previous one. Newton has a lot of cards to play. Super Bowl appearance and league MVP, but the bottom line is, he is not worth it.
Lack of Available QB Talent
Newton will miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury. This means that Taylor Heinicke will start the final two games of the season. The former Old Dominion quarterback will get a chance to showcase his talent, but him being the quarterback in Carolina after this season is unlikely. This year's free agent class is not anything special. Tyrod Taylor and Teddy Bridgewater are at the top of a list that includes Robert Griffin III, Brock Osweiler, and Geno Smith.
This year's draft does not have any Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold type prospects. If the Panthers are looking to draft a quarterback, it will have to be in later rounds.
Off the field, Newton has done a great deal for the community. Many videos have gone viral of him giving out gloves, cleats, or headbands that he has worn during games or practices. After he scores a touchdown, Newton will run to the stands and hand the ball to a child sitting in the first few rows. His character off the field is never in doubt but on the field, his cocky nature brings pressure to back it up, and lately he has not.
When it comes to Newton, he is a middle of the pack starter who will power a team to a Super Bowl. The money that he will be asking for will not be worth it for the player they are getting. If Carolina is smart, they will say thank you for everything, but it is time to move on.
