Cam Newton is suffering through the worst statistical season of his career. Through 11 games, Newton is completing just 57.9 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,586 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Newton has also rushed for a career low 4.7 yards per carry. Those numbers aren't awful, but they certainly aren't in line with what the former No. 1 overall pick has done in the past.
Due to his physical style of play, nagging injuries and poor production this season, some NFL observers brought Newton's future with the team into question as he becomes eligible for a new contract after this season. But Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told media that it would be "difficult" and "very unfair" to lay all of the blame for Carolina's lost season at Newton's feet.
The Panthers are devoid of any consistent receiving threats outside of tight end Greg Olsen. At one point this season, Carolina was without its top three running backs due to injury. Offseason ankle surgery and a fractured rib suffered during the preseason haven't helped matters for Newton either.
"You go back and look at some of the teams that have struggled in the past that had great years [before]," Rivera said on Monday when defending Newton's performance. "One that pops to mind right away was what happened at Atlanta last year.
"A couple of years ago they go to the NFC Championship Game and the next thing you know they're struggling because they had a lot of things happen."
While regression isn't totally uncommon, Newton's performance has fallen off considerably compared to last season. Newton had a career-best 88.8 passer rating in 2013 during Carolina's 12-4 season. Now, Newton is on pace for a career-low 78.9 rating.
Rumors circulated earlier this season that Newton was seeking a six-year deal worth roughly $20 million annually in his next contract. But with the Panthers mired in a 3-8-1 season, thanks to seven straight losses, Newton's long-term value has come under scrutiny. General Manager Dave Gettleman said after last season that Newton had proved to be a franchise quarterback, but the Panthers have yet to move on a new contract for Newton.
"Judge him. Judge the team. Judge the players on the team. Judge the coaches," Rivera said. "There's going to be a lot of evaluations we have to go through, not just us as players and coaches but our scheme, what we're doing, what happened, what people did to us."
