One burning question for each NFL team
By John Buhler
Carolina Panthers: Does Cam Newton still want it?
He might have all the talent in the world, but does 2015 NFL MVP quarterback of the Carolina Panthers Cam Newton still want to honestly compete for Super Bowls? Carolina stunk in 2016 after reaching the Super Bowl in 2015. The Panthers were a staggering nine wins worse just one year after reaching the Super Bowl.
On paper, Carolina should be better than 6-10, probably good enough to challenge the rival Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for pecking order in the NFC South. However, Carolina will need Newton’s dual-threat abilities and infectious on-field leadership style to lead them back to relevancy in the NFC.
Newton may never become a precision passer, but can make at least two big-time throws a game to keep defensive-minded Carolina in close games. Though he can certainly make plays with his legs, Newton’s best days as a runner are behind him, as he won’t want to take the punish he takes outside of the tackle box when he scrambles.
Carolina general manager David Gettleman used his first two picks of the 2017 NFL Draft to get Newton better weapons to help keep the chains moving. Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Curtis Samuel should be able to make the Panthers offense more multi-dimensional for Newton.
Given that head coach Ron Rivera has his background in defense, he should have that unit playing well again in 2017. Then again, he did lose his defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to the Buffalo Bills job. Frankly, it all comes down to how badly Newton wants it this year. We know he’s great when it’s going well, but is he willing to be a transformative leader and not just a front-runner anymore?