How can new signing Cam Newton get the Carolina Panthers out of what’s become an extremely concerning slump following their impressive start to the season?
A season that promised so much is rapidly disintegrating for the Carolina Panthers. Matt Rhule’s men put together a nice little run en route to a 3-0 record, which left many wondering if this team had what it takes to make big-time strides and secure playoff football in 2021.
As it turned out, these were delusions of grandeur.
The Panthers have been on a downward spiral ever since and their capitulation at home to the New England Patriots in Week 9 was yet another indication of how much work those in power have ahead of them.
This was as bad as it gets.
And that’s saying something judging by what we’ve seen of late.
This is the biggest challenge of Rhule’s coaching career. He was probably aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting him when the former Baylor man decided to try his luck in the NFL, but questionable personnel decisions and not much to speak of regarding in-game adjustments mean the jury is still out about his prospects for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Rhule hung his hat on Sam Darnold, giving up three draft picks to the New York Jets and passing on Justin Fields at No. 8 overall. Now, he’s been forced to press the reset button and bring Cam Newton back in what was an absolute shock, to say the least.
Darnold just isn’t up to the required standard. Newton might not be the player that took the league by storm in the mid-2010s, but he still rings an X-factor that few signal-callers across the NFL possess.
But what can Newton do to help the Panthers get out of their current slump?
Cam Newton can provide a spark for the Carolina Panthers.
Making a change at quarterback would have been beneficial even if Darnold’s injury hadn’t come to light. Backup P.J. Walker’s production doesn’t come with the greatest sense of confidence, so Newton is now the man tasked with salvaging the season.
The Panthers’ defense has exceeded some lofty expectations despite a less than impressive effort against the run on Sunday. Couple this with newfound reliability in the kicking game thanks to Zane Gonzalez and the offense is the only thing holding this team back.
It’s not rocket science at this stage.
Finding a better quarterback became the only way things were going to start trending in the right direction for Rhule and the Panthers.
Newton is exciting, he gets everyone believing again, and he knows just how much this team means to those supporting it.
Languishing in purgatory has gone on long enough. The fans are growing increasingly disillusioned and the atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium is getting more toxic with each passing failure.
Watching Newton emerge from the tunnel against the Washington Football Team in Week 11 will be an iconic moment., One that won’t go unnoticed by teammates who’ll be doing everything in their power to ensure his decision to return is the right one.
After so much misery. There is now hope.
And we can all be thankful for that.