Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton underwent shoulder surgery for the second time since the end of 2016 this offseason, so, naturally, you would expect him to change his game a bit going forward.
While talking to Peter King of NBC Sports, Newton acknowledged that will probably have to happen, as he doesn't think he has to be “Superman” anymore.
“You can look back at any type of player. You can look back at any type of sport and as a player grows, your game has to change,” said Newton. “I remember reading and seeing a lot of clips about Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Brett Favre, even Peyton Manning to a degree. When you get old, you have to change certain things … For me, it’s not that I’m limited with certain things, or that I’m not capable of doing certain things, it’s just other ways to do it.”
Newton played in 14 games this past year before being shut down for the final two games of the season due to shoulder issues. It was blatantly obvious that Newton's shoulder was giving him problems throughout he second half of the year, as nine of his 13 interceptions on the season came between Weeks 10 and 15.
Still, the 30-year-old says he won't completely abandon the way he plays so long as the situation calls for it.
“I'm not saying I’m not gonna run people over. I’m not saying I’m not gonna run the football,” said Newton. “I’m not saying I’m not gonna throw the ball down the field. I’m just in a position now where none of that matters but one thing, and that’s winning football games. If it requires me to do all those things, I’m willing to do it. And if it doesn’t, I’m still fine with that.”
Since entering the league in 2011, Newton has made three Pro Bowls. He also earned a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2015, the year he won MVP and led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance.