Cam Newton is not without blame but deserves better
Cam Newton deserves all the credit in the world for coming back to the Carolina Panthers when they needed him. Especially after how poorly he was treated when they cut him in 2020 after signing Teddy Bridgewater in free agency.
He is not without blame over the last few weeks.
But the simple fact of the matter is, Newton deserves better.
The change in offensive coordinator did absolutely nothing to ignite the offense. Couple this with porous protection and it’s not hard to see where the problems are coming from.
Newton was spared further misery late in the game by Matt Rhule, who is now under immense pressure with the Panthers at 5-8 and all hopes of playoff football evaporated.
Yes, his accuracy should be better.
Yes, the execution needs to improve.
But what quarterback would thrive under these conditions?
The problems are deep-seated and much bigger than just one player. In truth, this was always a gamble from Newton. but his love for the organization and no other opportunities meant it was a calculated risk worth taking.
One that hasn’t paid off so far.
What comes next is unclear. Both for the Panthers and the man that completely revolutionized the franchise during the 2010s.