David Tepper’s comments on Cam Newton aren’t helping anybody

What message does this send to current or potential Panthers?

When it comes to breaking out the dance moves, Panthers owner David Tepper is more willing than he is skilled. But to his credit, the slightly uncoordinated yet spry 62-year-old has nailed almost every step since acquiring the franchise.

Almost.

On Tuesday, shortly after surprising 60 Charlotte-Mecklenburg teachers at Bank of America Stadium with a gift of $120,000 for classroom supplies, Tepper was asked about the future of franchise quarterback Cam Newton. And if you haven’t seen or heard his answer yet, well, it wasn’t ideal.

Newton, who will turn 31 in May, is set to enter the upcoming 2020 campaign on the final season of his five-year, $103.8 million contract. Unfortunately, he has spent years three and four of that pact nursing nagging injuries to his throwing shoulder and left foot.

Specifically, Newton has now dealt with a partially torn rotator cuff and a Lisfranc fracture, forcing him to miss a total of 16 games since 2018. Both injuries have sent the former NFL MVP to the operating table twice in 2019, once in January and then again in December.

As Newton continues to rehab his foot from the latter of the two procedures, questions surrounding his health continue. Plus, given the nature of these setbacks to a quarterback who has so often relied upon his big arm and mobility over his nine-year career, those questions are also quite fair.

Tepper’s answer was not— not for a man who’s given this team, city and its fans his heart and body (literally) for almost a decade.

Tepper’s replies to the first two inquires on Cam were fine. He was reasonably straightforward, stating the decisions at QB will stem from how well Newton recovers. He then—certainly keeping in mind the repercussions of tampering violations—quipped to a reporter who asked if other teams had called about a possible trade for Newton, saying his wife “is the one” who answers the phone in the house.

It was Tepper’s final remarks, though, that made the situation with Newton that wuch more murky. He seemed dismissive, even annoyed at the implication of providing some insight. All we got was ambiguity.

Here’s a video with his full comments.

That’s a stark contrast from Newton, who—on his prospects of being under center for Carolina in 2020—was glowing, having assured media members his conversations with new head coach Matt Rhule, general manager Marty Hurney and Tepper left him inspired and ready for a return. 

Tepper sounds less confident.

“And I said it a million times, ‘Is he healthy?’ And he’s not a doctor. . . So, there’s a lot of different things can happen. But first is, is he healthy? Tell me that and then we can talk.”

As much money as Tepper has already put into this franchise, it’s doubtful he’s had any escape hatches installed throughout the stadium. If he did, we would’ve known in that very moment. Instead, long-time Panthers communications ace Steven Drummond was there to halt any further probing.

Now, we know Tepper built much of his fortune in the hedge fund world, a shark tank where you need a balance of wisdom and cutthroat decision-making. The NFL is a business, but not the same business and this is no way to talk about the guy who’s led your franchise to the most success its ever experienced.

Just ask former linebacker Thomas Davis, who was pretty candid with his thoughts about Tepper’s comments later in the week.

“If I’m that player listening to that, it sounds like a team that’s not totally committed to me,” Davis said while sitting on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access this past week. “I just know, from a fan standpoint, I know everybody in Carolina absolutely loves Cam Newton. They want him back. But it doesn’t seem like the team feels that way. If I’m Cam, I’m doing what’s best for me and my career right now.”

Davis, a teammate of Cam’s for eight seasons, then concluded by theorizing the best move for Newton is to find a new home.

Failing to support the greatest player in frnachise history, whether it’s sincere or not, is flippant and sets a damaging precedent. You’re dealing with men, actual humans—not investable assets.

What message does this send to current or potential Panthers?

Your general manager, head coach and offensive coordinator have gone mum. Why can’t they can’t commit even an ounce of assurance for a quarterback who’s won the only MVP in team history?

If you’re willing to play coy with that kind of athlete, good luck to everyone else.

It also sends a mixed message to potential trade suitors. How much will “But is he even healthy enough to do anything?” help net you in a deal? Certainly not as much as “Cam has proven to be one of the game’s most valuable quarterbacks when healthy. As long as he is, that’s our guy,” would.

Even the Detroit Lions seem to get that you don’t waffle on the future for your QB1.

To be fair, the situations are different. Detroit will have to pay an extra $10.7 million if they cut ties with Matthew Stafford, whereas the Panthers could free up $19.1 million if they do same with Newton. Additionally, Matt Patricia’s staff is under immediate pressure from ownership to become a winner in 2020 and won’t be granted the time to assess and retool like Rhule.

At least general manager Bob Quinn kept steady on his confidence in his guy, calling the trade rumors cooking around Stafford “100% False!!!” on Thursday. Coincidentally, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tepper’s previous NFL investment, did the same with their rehabbing star on the very same day, as their GM Kevin Colbert expressed optimism regarding Ben Roethlisberger’s recovery from elbow surgery.

Ultimately, Carolina will have to find a path for Newton, whether that means giving him the chance to prove he can still be the same Cam or sacrificing him for extra cap space and draft picks to rebuild.

Whichever way they decide to go, publicly casting doubt upon his health doesn’t help with either.

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