The Carolina Panthers must build a statue for Cam Newton once he retires.
Whether he ends his NFL journey with the team that drafted him first overall or not, the franchise hasn’t had a player with such an impact as him.
The former Auburn standout is an icon on the field and outside the gridiron.
He’s a fashion icon, and his free camp helps improve a new generation of football players.
Turn the sound up 🔊#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/NfIPhtc8hZ
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 12, 2021
Likewise, he brought the Panthers to greater heights, leading them to a stint in Super Bowl 50.
Newton is also the most accomplished player in team history after becoming the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2015.
Unfortunately, his best years are behind him, and his recent return to the Panthers is nothing more than an emotional boost.
The team cannot anoint him as their savior because he’s not the same player anymore.
They need more than Newton to reverse their fortunes.
Being A One-Trick Pony Has Problems
The Panthers had high hopes to start the 2021 NFL season.
Christian McCaffrey was back after missing most of their previous campaign, and his presence had a profound impact.
Carolina cruised through three wins in as many games to kick off the season.
Their offense flowed while their defense limited their opponents to 10 points per game.
But things immediately went south when their versatile running back suffered another injury.
#Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey, on IR and out for the season, tested positive for COVID-19, source said. Another NFL big name.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 14, 2021
Matt Rhule’s squad lost their edge with McCaffrey out, and their slump caused former offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s firing.
They’ve had occasional wins against Arizona and Atlanta, but they haven’t recovered from McCaffrey’s absence.
The Panthers lost seven of their next nine games, and Newton was a liability during his last three starts.
He couldn’t breach the 200-passing yard mark and got benched for P.J. Walker in their defeat against the Miami Dolphins.
Newton suffered the same fate in their rematch against the Falcons, resulting in another loss.
He failed to duplicate his energy during his spot duty against the Cardinals as the Panthers fell to 5-8.
Their Playoff Dream Is Alive
Despite the misery they’re facing, the Panthers still have a sliver of hope to get a Wild Card spot.
The Panthers are just one game behind the seventh and final playoff spot, and they must win their remaining games to stand a chance.
However, their postseason fate isn’t in their hands anymore as they must rely on the other teams’ performances to climb the ladder.
It doesn’t help either that they’ll be facing playoff-caliber teams like the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their last four games.
Unfortunately, Newton isn’t the quarterback who can claim victory over those teams.
Cam Newton speaks to the media after the game https://t.co/BumdoLi8da
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 12, 2021
The Saints’ defense will pick apart Newton’s inaccurate passing while the Bills remain a high-scoring team.
There’s no way the Panthers will win against the Buccaneers, especially when Tom Brady is having an MVP-level season.
The Panthers’ playoff chances will likely end sooner than later, and Newton isn’t the solution after all.
Yes, he is revered by the Panthers’ faithful for making them a relevant franchise.
But the team can find better options at the position because Newton is a step slower and isn’t a reliable thrower.
He’ll have his moments, but he can’t sustain great performances throughout a game anymore.
With Newton not being the answer and McCaffrey idle regarding his return, the Panthers have more questions to answer come the offseason.
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