3 Things Panthers Fans Should Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Cam Newton

Unfortunately for Cam Newton and the Panthers, 2019 marks the second-consecutive season in which the former MVP has had his season derailed by injuries. In 2018 it was a nagging shoulder issue that required offseason surgery, and this season, he suffered a Lisfranc injury in his lone preseason appearance, and was shut down after Week Two of the regular season.

Despite the injuries Newton has been forced to deal with over the past couple seasons, he remains the best player the franchise has ever seen, and if his foot heals properly, there’s a chance he has some high-caliber football left in him. It’s true that Newton struggled mightily over the two games he played this season, however, considering the fact that he couldn’t put weight on his front foot, it becomes easier to understand why.

There is certainly plenty of questions surrounding Newton’s future with the franchise, and much of it has been due to the fact that backup Kyle Allen has won five games in his absence, including four-in-a-row at one point. Allen has cooled off as of late, and the Panthers have missed the 6’5,” 245 pound Newton in short-yardage situations. Including this most recent loss in New Orleans, Carolina has lost three games as a result of being unable to score a touchdown inside the three-yard line. When Newton is going right, he’s unstoppable from that distance.

Regardless of what happens in relation to the quarterback position moving forward, the Panthers should never take for granted what Cam Newton has done for the franchise, as well as the community as a whole. Even injured, Newton remains the face of Panthers football across the league.