5 critical observations from Christian McCaffrey’s 2021 season
By Dean Jones
Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton were denied time
The Carolina Panthers dropped a huge bombshell with the return of quarterback Cam Newton. This completely galvanized the franchise at a time when morale was sinking and the prospect of slotting the former NFL MVP and Christian McCaffrey in the backfield once again was a mouth-watering one, to say the least.
McCaffrey and Newton hadn’t played that much together due to injuries from the signal-caller’s standpoint before his departure in 2020. But it didn’t take long for this chemistry to resume during an exceptional victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10 and further signs of promise were displayed against the Washington Football Team.
Sadly, another injury to McCaffrey in Week 12 at the Miami Dolphins was enough to end the player’s season. And Newton was unable to take advantage of his starting opportunity despite plenty of mitigating factors making life extremely difficult.
This was another cruel turn of events. And with Newton now out of contract, it remains to be seen whether the pair will ever suit up on the same team again.
Had McCaffrey been available throughout Newton’s time under center, things might have been different. But it’s another element to the ever-growing complication regarding the dual-threat weapon.