Panthers plan to exercise Cam Newton’s 2015 fifth-year option
By Mike Dyce
The Carolina Panthers are coming off their best season with Cam Newton at the helm, and they’re looking to keep their star quarterback around a little bit longer.
From David Newton of ESPN:
"The Carolina Panthers expect to use the fifth-year option to lock up quarterback Cam Newton through 2015 and give the team time to negotiate a long-term deal.“Yes,” Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting. “Yes, that’s a fair statement.”"
The Panthers have until May 3 to inform Newton of their intentions. Newton will get the average of league’s 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in 2015, which could be roughly $13.7 million.
It could be a rough road for Newton with all of his seasoned wide receivers heading off to other teams. Steve Smith signed with the Baltimore Ravens, Brandon LaFell teamed up with the New England Patriots and Ted Ginn Jr is with the Arizona Cardinals.