Panthers Expected To Move Forward With Cam Newton As Starting Quarterback

According to Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are expected to move forward with Cam Newton as their starting quarterback in 2020 for now. 

Rapoport notes Newton’s uncertain health status would complicate any potential trade, despite many around the league expecting Newton to be one of the available quarterbacks this offseason. 

He also says new HC Matt Rhule and his staff have been impressed with how Newton has attacked rehab for the surgically-repaired Lisfranc injury on his left foot that cost him all but two games of the 2019 season.

The Panthers expect Newton to be able to pass a physical in early March, but will still be careful with his return to full team activities, limiting Newton through spring workouts in early April and May. 

Despite a full season of speculation about his 2020 status with the team, Newton proved to be right when he said in an interview with CBS Sports he “absolutely” expects to be back with the Panthers in 2020. 

“It’s devastating to not have the coach who drafted you, but at the same time, you’ve got to turn the page,” Newton said. “I had an unbelievable conversation with Marty Hurney, the G.M., David Tepper the owner, as well as Coach Rhule, the new head coach. And I left that meeting inspired. And I told them, ‘You won’t find another person in that locker room with more to prove, not only to you, but I’ve got to prove to myself.’”

Entering the final year of his contract, it looks like Newton will be given the opportunity to prove himself in 2020 with the Panthers. 

Newton, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2011. He is entering the fifth year of his six-year, $118.47 million contract that includes $60 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $16.2 million and $18.6 million over the final two years of the agreement.

In 2019, Newton appeared in two games for the Panthers, completing 50 out of 89 passes for 572 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed five times for -2 yards.

We’ll have more on Newton as the news is available.