4 reasons the Carolina Panthers should re-sign Cam Newton in 2022
By Dean Jones
Cam Newton could improve with a full offseason
There is no doubt Cam Newton went into this situation with his eyes wide open. Arriving so late into the season with little time to familiarize himself with the playbook or his teammates was a big risk, one that came with some inconsistencies and led to his eventual benching.
Newton’s task was not exactly aided by the Carolina Panthers opting to fire offensive coordinator Joe Brady midway through the bye week, with long-time Matt Rhule loyalist Jeff Nixon assuming play-calling duties over the final five games of the campaign.
Yes, Newton’s production should have been better. But there were plenty of mitigating factors behind why it wasn’t up to scratch all the time.
However, giving Newton another one-year deal would allow the former Heisman Trophy winner to fully integrate himself into the system, which is going to change depending on who the Panthers choose as their next offensive coordinator in the coming days.
Considering everything that transpired and the gamble Newton took coming back, it’s the least he deserved. But the NFL is never that simple.
Rhule might feel that re-signing Newton would pile additional pressure on Sam Darnold – a player he hung his hat on that has already proven incapable of being a starting-caliber player at the next level.