The 2019 NFL campaign was certainly one to forget for Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
He played in just two games before a foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, and thanks to early success from backup quarterback Kyle Allen, many felt that the Panthers should move on from Newton.
But Allen's honeymoon was short-lived, as he struggled mightily after leading Carolina to wins in each of his first four starts, ultimately losing his job to rookie signal-caller Will Grier late in the season.
The Panthers proceeded to go 5-11, resulting in the firing of long-time head coach Ron Rivera in early December.
Newton is understandably upset that the only NFL head coach he has ever known is gone, but during an appearance on CBS Sports Network, the 30-year-old said that he “absolutely” expects to be back in Carolina next season and that he is looking forward to a new beginning:
“It’s devastating to not have the coach who drafted you, but at the same time, you’ve got to turn the page,” said Newton of the Panthers. “I had an unbelievable conversation with Marty Hurney, the G.M., David Tepper the owner, as well as Coach (Matt) Rhule, the new head coach. And I left that meeting inspired. And I told them, ‘You won’t find another person in that locker room with more to prove, not only to you, but I’ve got to prove to myself.'”
Newton was drafted by the Panthers back in 2011 and has been under center ever since, making three Pro Bowls and earning a league MVP award back during the 2015-16 campaign.
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