Panthers news: GM addresses talk of mishandling Cam Newton

The Carolina Panthers recently parted ways with Cam Newton, and the criticism for that move and handling of the star quarterback has started to surface.

Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney has finally broken his silence in regards to the questionable departure of longtime quarterback Cam Newton, who was released by the franchise this offseason.

With the 31-year-old Newton only suiting up for the Panthers upon making his way to the highest level as the No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn University back in 2011, the veteran signal-caller has still not found his next NFL home with June rapidly approaching.

Of course, Newton has struggled to remain healthy throughout the last few seasons, which obviously led to the Panthers moving on in addition to the fact that a virtual offseason has put him in a tough position to sign elsewhere.

“I understand,” Hurney recently said, via 102.5 FM / 610 AM WFNZ in Charlotte. “Everyone is gonna have their opinions and they're certainly entitled to them. I have great respect for our medical staff and I have great respect for Cam Newton.”

What does Marty Hurney think of how the Panthers handled the Cam Newton situation? He answered that and more, including what moves the Panthers still need to make, on the @ClubhouseKB with @KyleBaileyClub.

FULL interview: https://t.co/uFX24OX2vU pic.twitter.com/Rq05XHGZLh

— Sports Radio WFNZ (@wfnz) May 27, 2020

With Hurney and the Panthers now officially all in on Bridgewater with Newton, a former league MVP, no longer in the picture, Carolina will apparently turn its offseason attention elsewhere moving forward. According to Hurney, the NFC South franchise will begin to address its needs at the cornerback position before also focusing on both the offensive and defensive line.

The Panthers will definitely need all the help it can get in 2020 as the NFC South division is now even more stacked than usual. With both the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers improving drastically this offseason, even the Atlanta Falcons will be a tough out thanks to the team's high-powered offensive attack led by quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Julio Jones.