Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers QB
This one is tough because not only is Cam Newton on here because of his poor performance but also because he wasn’t able to get the proper send-off he greatly deserved at Bank of America Stadium.
Newton has poured his heart and soul out for the Carolina Panthers since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2011. While it was exciting to bring him back after being cut last year, his second go-around has been a letdown.
It’s unlikely that the Panthers will re-sign him this offseason, which meant Sunday’s game was his last on home soil in front of a fanbase who’s idolized him right from the outset.
Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way anyone would have liked. Newton swapped in and out with Sam Darnold and completed seven of 13 passes for 61 yards and an interception.
To make matters worse, Matt Rhule didn’t allow Newton to be put back in the game late in the fourth quarter for one final hurrah as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
Newton was deservingly emotional following the game when talking about his memories in Carolina. But his play just isn’t at the level it used to be.
That isn’t all on Newton but it just happened so quickly. There are still two games remaining so maybe he’s able to help grind out one more victory, but the end is not what anyone had imagined for the former Auburn sensation.