Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was as blunt as blunt could get on Thursday. So, in case you haven’t picked up on it yet, he’s concerned about winning and only winning.
When asked—straight off the top—about that fourth-and-1 play in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Newton didn’t allow The Athletic‘s Joseph Person to even finish his question.
“All energy and focus is focused on . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” he exclaimed to start his post-practice presser. “No need to dwell on it. I’m not entertaining it. It’s not even important. And I’m just trying to find a way to win. And dwelling on that—it does us no justice. And I’m nipping that in the bud early.”
Okay, let’s not dwell on it. But more buds were left to be nipped . . .
Newton was then asked if he’d perhaps consider a role similar to that of Taysom Hill’s, in which the New Orleans Saints have brought in the talented rusher as change-of-pace option in their offense. He, again, wasn’t having it.
“Man, I’m gonna control everything that I can control. I’m not gonna entertain that. And I don’t want that to be a hinderance. I’m just so focused on trying to win, that you guys have to understand it and hear it in my voice. Nothing else is important to me than winning. And I don’t know where that was missed along the lines since I’ve been here. But my main focus is trying to find a way to win come Sunday.”
One more bud was left, this time about Sunday “possibly” being his final game at Bank of America Stadium as a Panther.
“No,” he simply said when questioned if he’s given that prospect any thought. Newton’s deal, which he signed just over a month ago, is up at season’s end.
“You keep using this word ‘possibly,’ he said. “I’m not thinking about ‘possibly.’ I’m just worried about the next game which is the most important game to me because it’s the next game.”
Whether that next game features him, Sam Darnold and/or even a little P.J. Walker, it’s an opportunity Newton desperately wants to seize. And if it is indeed Cam’s last home game in Carolina . . . you know what? Never mind.
All energy and focus is focused on, as he said, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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