Cam Newton is not worth $100 million contract extension

These plays show up consistently when watching Newton on tape. He makes tremendous throws at times and uses his athleticism to break big plays, but his fundamentals and accuracy are terrible. While he doesn’t have Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin on his team, a supporting cast of Olson and Benjamin is nothing to laugh at. Carolina needs to add much more, but other quarterbacks have done more with less.

In fairness to the Panthers, it is understandable why they are going to pay Newton in excess of $100 million. The potential is there, and from a marketing standpoint, the former Auburn star is golden. Additionally, even mediocre quarterbacks in this age are getting paid a mint.

Last offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals paid Andy Dalton $96 million over the next six years, expiring in 2020. Dalton is yet to win a playoff game and threw for 3,398 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2014. The San Francisco 49ers gave Colin Kaepernick $114 million over six years with $61 million guaranteed. Last season, Kaepernick completed 60.5 percent of his throws with 19 touchdowns and missed the playoffs.

Ultimately, Newton’s career will be judged on his success in January and February. To this point, those accomplishments are limited despite playing in a poor division. Newton must understand how to make the simple plays before becoming an elite quarterback, worthy of such dollar figures.

Until that maturation comes, Newton is an overpaid signal-caller on an underperforming team.