The Panthers new regime added LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady as its offensive coordinator earlier this week.
After the Tuesday announcement, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system. Rapoport made it clear that he didn’t see it happening … but not for lack of ability, rather lack of opportunity.
“My belief, my understanding, is that the Panthers will look to trade Cam Newton when he is healthy,” Rapoport said. “We don’t know for sure when he’s going to be healthy. He had surgery with hopes of being healthy in March. That is the goal, for him to be healthy then and for them to seek a trade with him regardless.”
30-year-old Newton’s Lisfranc injury ended his 2019 season, he underwent surgery on that left foot in December. Given the contract situation, Newton is only playing for $18 million dollars in 2020 if he stays in the current contract with the panthers as things stand. Rapoport says he sees the franchise having a hard time re-upping Newton’s contract and that the Panthers will likely start new.
While it’s not an earth-shattering report, it does indicate that things in Charlotte are heading the direction many suspected during the season that they might.