Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton or Kyle Allen? Here’s the answer
Carolina Panthers have one right answer to Cam Newton or Kyle Allen question.
The Carolina Panthers are currently 4-2 and in the midst of a bye week after winning four straight following a difficult start to the year. Former No. 1 overall pick and league MVP Cam Newton started two games at quarterback before being replaced by Kyle Allen due to a foot injury.
Allen seemed to spark the offense despite having just one other career start and although his play hasn’t been spectacular, it has been enough to win four games with the help of a revitalized defense.
On the surface, Allen is undefeated and enjoying a historic start to his career while Newton hasn’t won a game in almost a full calendar year (Week 9 – November 4, 2018). The current streak, especially after suffering through seven straight losses last year, has led many to question if Allen should remain as the starter even when Newton is eligible to return. For Carolina, there’s only one right answer to this scenario and it doesn’t necessarily involve either’s current situation but the future of the franchise.
If healthy, coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers have no choice but to let Newton resume his role as the starting quarterback. Regardless of when this time comes, whether it be next week or later in the season and even if Allen remains undefeated – Newton is the starter.
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Not to take anything away from Allen but if the Panthers elect to keep a healthy Newton sidelined it has the potential to create a divided locker room, fan base and no concrete solution should either struggle down the line. If Newton returns, is placed into the starting lineup and continues to exhibit signs of declining play then moving back to Allen makes sense – it is the opposite which would cause problems.
If Allen remains but encounters a slump and is replaced by a healthy Newton, who then also fails to play well, where does the franchise turn? To rookie quarterback Will Grier? At that point there’s definitely no beneficial solution as both quarterbacks will have been given opportunities and suffered skepticism.
Rivera has been vague addressing the situation but ultimately he’s going to have a decision to make and it will have implications on the franchise’s future and potentially his own.
So do the right thing. Go ahead and make it clear that Newton is the quarterback of the Panthers and will return when healthy. When the time comes, insert him back into the lineup and let that performance determine his future.
Next. Week 6 Grades. dark
If he plays well then positive results should follow and if not, Allen has performed well enough to warrant replacing him at that point – but only then, not before.