Can QB Cam Newton push the Panthers to the playoffs in his second act in Charlotte?
Last Thursday, Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing. News had spread of Cam Newton signing with Carolina and many from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, felt exuberant.
Tremble attended Wesleyan High School in Peachtree Corners, graduating in 2018. About 30 miles southwest sits Newton’s alma mater, Westlake High School. Growing up, Tremble remembers all his friends were “Cam Fans.”
“Back home, I probably can’t even count on both hands how many guys have a Cam Newton jersey,” Tremble said. “Everyone was rocking him.”
Tremble, 21, is about 11 years younger than his new starting quarterback. Coincidentally, the first NFL game Tremble attended was a Seahawks-Panthers contest at Bank of America Stadium when Tremble was about 14. His father, Super Bowl 30 champion Greg Tremble, had a friend coaching Seattle’s defensive line.
Loyalty is family, so Tremble cheered for the Seahawks, but he left disappointed. Newton was 25 years old, just four years into his career, with his NFL Most Valuable Player award and Super 50 berth still ahead of him.
“I still remember the seats exactly where I was in the nosebleed. But I still thought it was the coolest thing ever watching these guys play,” Tremble said. “Carolina came out on top at the end so I was disappointed, being a little kid. At the same time seeing the crowd go crazy anytime Cam made a play.”
Seven years later, that boy in the nosebleeds and Superman are teammates. Tremble said his friends and family still cannot believe Newton returned to Carolina. Tremble said catching a touchdown from his childhood icon is “definitely on the list.”
Tremble’s experience from boyhood fan to colleague and teammate of Newton embodies the unique tale the Panthers are penning. Undoubtedly, Newton uplifts his teammates, coaches and community. His presence alone is unlike few others in sports history. But on the field, can he still quarterback winning football? And how has his evolution away from Carolina helped reshape him?
Bridging the gap
Within Bank of America Stadium, a delicate balance of old vibes and new times permeates. Under second-year coach Matt Rhule, the Panthers are building something worthwhile centered around a young roster of budding stars.
Brian Burns, Shaq Thompson, Derrick Brown, Jeremy Chinn, Stephon Gilmore, Haason Reddick, Christian McCaffrey, Taylor Moton and DJ Moore are key pieces to a talented roster with playoff potential. All the Panthers missed was a quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t enough. Then Sam Darnold injured his shoulder in Week 9 against New England. Though it was clear several weeks prior that he wasn’t the guy either.
For Rhule to realize his vision of the Panthers, he’d have to revert back to the quarterback he cut two offseasons ago. Salary cap implications aside, Rhule made the right move. Newton scored twice in his debut against Arizona despite playing nine snaps. The Panthers won 34-10. Equally important, he reinvigorated the Panthers, cloaking them in swagger and confidence.
For a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017, the belief is back. After beating the Cardinals, Newton said there were a few current Panthers that fully understood “the impact” he brings.
“He has an amazing effect on a team and on a game. His ability to make plays not just throwing the ball but with his feet are special,” McCaffrey said. “But the ways he can impact a game are much more than that from an energy standpoint and a momentum standpoint, it’s very tough to stop. I’ve seen it firsthand.”
McCafrey understands what Newton can still bring. Younger Panthers like Tremble didn’t realize it until the Arizona game.
“After the first touchdown, you could tell. Just him taking off his helmet. It’s like ‘Damn, that’s really Cam Newton,’ ” Tremble said. “So, that kind of woke me up. It was like a five-second realization, then it was just back to the game.”
Panthers of old and new comprise Rhule’s roster, and it’s Newton who ties them all together.
Can he win?
Publicly, Rhule set simple expectations for Newton. Like he’d tell any player, he wants Newton to be himself. Rhule has no interest in “Cam-lite.” Not that Newton would know how to be anything but authentic.
“Cam was brought here to help us win. I expect him to work to be a guy that can help us win week in and week out,” Rhule said. “Cam did that last week on two days’ worth of work. Now he has a full week. I expect him to prepare all week, practice hard and then get to the game and play well.”’
But how does Newton help a football team win six years removed from his MVP honors? New England cut him in August in favor of rookie quarterback Mac Jones. Then Newton did not sign with Carolina until November. There were reports Seattle and Houston were interested but nothing transpired.
If general managers and coaches think he’s past his prime, they have reason to believe it. Last season Newton set career lows in passing yards (2,657), passing touchdowns (eight) and QBR (47).
Newton missed one game due to COVID-19, which may have hindered his play. Still, there are concerns Newton’s body won’t hold up as he continues thrashing defenders. Rhule said his arm looks healthy and strong. But against Arizona he threw a ball behind DJ Moore on a slant pattern and under threw him later when Moore ran a vertical.
In short-yardage situations, he’ll deliver as usual. Between the 20-yard lines is where Newton must prove he’s still capable. Washington football coach Ron Rivera believes he’ll still flash.
“In the preseason game he made some really good throws. I know he took a big hit from Chase (Young). Cam bounced right up like there wasn’t much there,” Rivera said. “That’s just who he is in terms of being able to withstand that type of hit. Based on the things they’ve done he’s going to fit in for them.
“To me it’s a bold move what (Carolina) did,” he said. “Because they have some talent. They are a good young football team that is growing.”
The new Cam
Sunday marks the first regular-season reunion between Newton and Rivera. The former Panthers coach drafted Newton No. 1 overall in 2011 and the two have been linked ever since.
It’s an ironic twist that Newton’s homecoming will include Rivera standing on the opposing sideline. The past two seasons, Rivera had opportunities to sign Newton but never did. Instead Taylor Heinicke — once Newton’s backup — has started eight games this year.
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Rivera said he notices growth in Newton since their time together.
“Off the field he’s an entrepreneur. He has stuff outside of football that he’s been working on and preparing himself for later in life,” Rivera said. “There is fatherhood. I know that he absolutely adores his children. Some of the charity stuff and seven-on-seven stuff he does shows he’s grown beyond just a football player.”
His evolution is on display daily. Newton entered Thursday’s press conference wearing a gray tee with his roaring face on it from his iconic “I’m back.” moment. However, “I’m” was crossed out and replaced with “We”.
From his fit to his words, he manufactured an inclusive environment while denying Sunday’s game was about him.
“I refuse for the narrative to be about two people. When it’s about 106 people,” Newton said. “Fifty-three people on the Panthers as well as the Washington Football Team.”
In an attempt to “bring the pride back” to Bank of America Stadium, Newton announced that he’s giving away 50 free tickets to fans who have not been to many games.
“This Sunday is important for us,” Newton said. “We need to reclaim Bank of America Stadium. I know the success hasn’t been there, but we ain’t talking about the past. We talking about the things here moving forward.”
Moving forward, this is a new Newton. His injection into the Panthers’ locker room shifted momentum and helped spread belief. Pushing Carolina to the playoffs would showcase a run unlike any other. Rhule called Newton’s first touchdown “like a movie.”
If that’s true, then Newton starting the next seven games and playing winning football should win an Oscar.
This story was originally published November 21, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
