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Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is determined to bounce back in a major way.
Newton–who missed all but two games last season due to injury–posted an Instagram of him rehabbing and working out. The caption includes lyrics from J. Cole's “Middle Child,” a song about fulfilling expectations and representing an entire generation:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8SMJ6eBhUO/?utm_source=ig_embed
The former No. 1 overall pick has been the subject of trade speculation for the better part of this past season as well as the early months of the offseason.
However, Newton said during Super Bowl week he would “absolutely” return to Carolina:
"Are you going to be back in Carolina, are you sure you're going to be a Panther?" – @BrandonTierney
"Absolutely, absolutely." – Cam Newton pic.twitter.com/H9hg35eVKp
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) January 31, 2020
Newton is in the final year of his contract in 2020, and it remains to be seen whether the Panthers could even fetch suitable value for the former NFL MVP.
The past few seasons have been exceedingly trying for Newton. He led the Panthers to six wins in their first eight games during the 2018 season. But Carolina went on to lose each of their next six games, missing out on the playoffs as a result.
Newton then underwent offseason surgery to resolve some structural issues in his throwing shoulder. But he hardly inspired confidence with a pair of startling poor performances at the start of 2019. Newton had two turnovers in a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and he completed just 25 of his 51 pass attempts during a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
There are always likely to be questions about Newton's durability moving forward, especially considering the amount of damage his body has taken as a big, physical scrambling quarterback.
Still, Newton appears determined to silence the haters in 2020.
