Cam Newton: ‘We are playing with a chip on our shoulders’

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is looking to improve on his 2015 NFL MVP year.

The Carolina Panthers are led by one of the most charismatic and polarizing players in Cam Newton. The reigning NFL MVP celebrates every success and wears every defeat on his face for the world to see. He plays with a passion that shines through each time the ball is in his hands. Expectations are high for Newton and to live up to them he has to find a way to play even better in this new season.

While speaking with reporters after the Panthers finished off season workouts, Newton let everyone know that he and the rest of the Panthers are prepared to keep the momentum going in the right direction.

“We are playing with a chip on our shoulders,” Newton said as reported by David Newton of ESPN. “We’re not worried about the Super Bowl. We’re focusing in on trying to maximizing our June to July, into August and the list goes on. The Super Bowl is in 2017. We still have a lot to do in 2016.”

Newton is the driving factor behind much of that success. In 2015 his performance and development as a quarterback helped him put together a career year. What was most interesting to watch is the way Newton’s decision-making improved.

Jun 15, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) laughs during stretches at the practice field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

He ended the year with career bests in both touchdowns with 35 and 10 interceptions; both vast improvements over his performance which left many questioning his validity as a franchise quarterback. Coach Ron Rivera recognized that development in many ways.

“It’s not just about his base fundamentals as an athlete, but his base fundamentals as a mental athlete, understanding the mental aspects of the game,” Rivera said. “Like I said when we first got started, I still believe he’s got room to grow.”

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Newton will have a lot of opportunity to grow in 2016. Kelvin Benjamin is returning to the team after the knee injury that knocked him out of last season. When paired with Devin Funchess and a receiving group that features Ted Ginn, Jr., Greg Olsen, Philly Brown and others, Newton has the strongest group around since being drafted in 2011. As the Panthers look to use Newton less in the running game, this is the perfect setting for Newton to flourish as a pocket-passer.

Unfortunately for Newton, much of the attention that is sent his way by fans and the media include his penchant for celebrating in a way that surprisingly “offends” fans. Whether the public likes it or not, this is exactly who Newton is as a professional athlete that appreciates and enjoys the sport he plays.

“You just see it. You see him work hard. And he does things his way,” Rivera said. “That’s one of the things we as a football team know and appreciate is who he is. It really is about being yourself and true to yourself.”

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Newton reached a new level of play in 2015 and proved that he belongs in the upper echelon of play callers in the NFL. As he and the Panthers look to finish what they started last season, he has to continue to improve even if that means out performing his 2015 MVP year.