Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers looking to get extension done in offseason

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton hasn’t put up incredible numbers this season, but he’s been playing the best football of his career after first making major strides last season. Newton was electric as a rookie, inconsistent as a sophomore, and composed as a third-year pro. It seems like he’s put it all together this season, and you can only wonder how good he would be if he had a better offensive line in front of him, especially when you look at the terrible blocking he’s received from the offensive tackles. Newton’s rushing is only getting better as he rounds into better health, and it’s clear that he’s a much smarter rusher and QB.

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The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Newton, who will be a free agent after the 2015 season, and the Panthers had just one discussion about an extension this past offseason, but both sides will look to try and strike a deal next offseason. It isn’t going to be easy, though, because while Newton would seemingly love to remain in Carolina, he isn’t going to take a cheap deal. And why should he? He has incredible physical tools, is clearly the most important player on the team, and has established himself as a true franchise quarterback.

Rapoport reports that Newton, as we’ve heard before, isn’t interested in some Colin Kaepernick, pay-as-you-go contract; he wants the real deal, and Rapoport tells us that we should use Matt Ryan’s lucrative deal with the Atlanta Falcons as a barometer. Does Newton deserve that kind of money? “Deserve” is a tough word to gauge, but his age, upside, and importance to the team tell me that he should be able to leverage himself on the team successfully. Dave Gettleman doesn’t like spending, but this is one player he can’t afford to be cheap with.

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