Has Cam Newton Era In Carolina Ended?

The Carolina Panthers announced on Tuesday that quarterback Cam Newton would be out for the rest of the season with a foot injury that has plagued him for most of 2019. This is significant because Newton has been the Panthers franchise player offensively since 2011 and during that time, he has gone to three Pro Bowls, one Super Bowl, was named the 2011 offensive rookie of the year and 2015 offensive player of the year.

Known for his remarkable mobility and nicknamed Superman, Newton has not played since week two. In the two games he did start, both losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was ineffective and had zero touchdown passes, -2 rushing yards, one interception and two fumbles.

Over the last six weeks, the Panthers have had Kyle Allen at quarterback. Undrafted, Allen is only making $495,000 this season. However in that time, the Panthers are 5-1, with their only loss coming in a blowout variety–51-13 to the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers in week eight.

Allen was simply tremendous in his first start of the season, a 38-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the desert. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns. However since then, Allen has been mediocre but good enough to lead the Panthers to victory.

The real question in Carolina now is what will the Panthers decide to do in 2020 and beyond. Will they give Newton one more chance or is this Allen’s team now? Newton will be earning a staggering $21.1 million in 2020. If the Panthers do go with Allen, where will Newton end up and is there a chance he could be a starting quarterback somewhere else if his foot fully heals?

One must also realize this is a different Panthers team now compared to when Newton started in 2011. The 2019 Panthers have the best running back in football in Christian McCaffrey and Carolina does not need a sensational play maker at quarterback to be effective like they did eight years ago when Newton first started out. The Panthers right now need an effective game manager, and this is what Allen has been able to bring to the table even though he is only 23 years of age.