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Carolina Panthers: Is Cam Newton at an MVP Level?

By Sam Corkey

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Norv Turner has helped Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers offense reach the next level.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is living proof.

The Carolina offense has had its high and low points this season, but it’s been an unquestionable improvement over former offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s past offenses. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner was brought in to adapt the offense – Cam Newton’s game in particular – and he’s definitely taught the eight-year veteran some new tricks.

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With a 68.4% completion percentage on the season, Newton, a notoriously inaccurate passer, sits at eighth in the league in the statistic. Newton’s career average is 59.4% and his previous season high was 61.7%. Even in his MVP season in 2015, Newton only completed 59.8% of his passes.

While his decision-making has noticeably improved under Turner, Newton hasn’t gone through some sort of magical transformation. Turner has just adapted Newton to throw high-percentage passes to his playmakers.

Wide receiver Jarius Wright remarked on Wednesday that “each guy we have can make plays.” Jarius Wright. Devin Funchess. DJ Moore. Torrey Smith. Curtis Samuel. Greg Olsen. Even running back Christian McCaffrey. All have proven throughout the season their ability to make plays through the air.

Under Turner’s scheme, Newton doesn’t have to make all the plays. He can let his playmakers do some of the work.

The Carolina Panthers, a historically defensive-minded team under defensive-minded head coach Ron Rivera, have undergone a shift in philosophy this year that has generated an explosion on offense. Well, maybe more of an electric surge.

The Panthers offense doesn’t rank particularly high overall, but Turner’s system is based on efficiency. Carolina ranks 10th in yards per play, 9th in points per play, and 8th in first downs per play.

All on a team that bases itself on the rush, an inefficient but integral part of the Panthers offense.

On the season, Newton’s completed 225 of 329 attempts for 2443 yards with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions, leaving him with a 68.4% completion percentage.

Through 10 games in 2015, Newton had completed 174 of 305 attempts for 2283 yards with 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions, leaving him with a 57.0% completion percentage.

Is Cam Newton playing at an MVP level under famed quarterback guru Norv Turner?

It’s an intriguing question with no right answer, but I’ll offer my take on it.

20th in passing yards. 9th in passing touchdowns.

16th in yards per attempt. 7th in completion percentage.

2nd among quarterbacks in rushing yards. 22nd in the league with two rushing touchdowns.

Newton is undoubtedly extremely valuable to his team, whom he has led to a solid 6-4 record. Newton is also undoubtedly playing at an extremely high level, possibly the best he ever has.

Newton might be the most valuable player in the league, and he might just be playing at an MVP level, but he just doesn’t have the numbers for the trophy (see: Patrick Mahomes).

The Lombardi Trophy, though? I’d say there’s a chance.

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