Is Cam Newton Helping or Hurting the Panthers?

The Ringer explores the Cam Newton conundrum.

Cam Newton
Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers emerges from the smoke before their game against the San Francisco 49ers. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Cam Newton’s career is both impressive and underwhelming. Newton is clearly a superstar: He’s led all NFL quarterbacks in rushing four times in his seven-year career and has 754 yards this season, which is better than the leading running back on 10 other teams. The three-time Pro Bowler is probably the most recognizable NFL star under the age of 35. But the Panthers have had four losing seasons and just three winning ones since Newton joined in 2011, and his statistics are not at the top of the pack, but fall somewhere in the middle. So is Newton overhyped? Or does he just have a bad supporting cast? The Ringer writes that the Panthers’ success or failure always lies on Newton because the team has never hired a fellow offensive star with which to share them. Occasionally the blame that falls on Newton is deserved, but not always. He clearly has limitations, but are those the only thing holding the Panthers back?

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