The Carolina Panthers enjoyed success in the league until Cam Newton’s injury, winning 4 consecutive games, but faced a setback with a loss to the 49ers. Since then, the team has struggled, with a record of 1-7, as backup QB Kyle Allen took over the reins.
Amid talks of a potential trade for Cam Newton, the 2015 MVP, some fans are hesitant about Kyle Allen’s performance and are advocating for Newton to stay with the team. In a show of support, these fans have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to fund a potential billboard encouraging the Panthers to retain Newton.
The message on the billboard campaign emphasizes the significance of Newton’s contributions to the team, city, and region:
“As passionate Panthers Fans, we are in the midst of a major shift in the trajectory of the team we love so much. Cam Newton has brought so much joy, passion, loyalty, and culture to the Carolina Panthers, the City of Charlotte, and the Two State Region, that we want to show him and the team how much we want him to stay. We want him to finish what he started in Charlotte. We want him to only experience wearing #1 in Charlotte!”
Newton’s contract with the Panthers extends until 2020, with the team owing him $19 million. Speculation suggests that the Panthers may explore trading or releasing Newton in the offseason. Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network indicated:
“I am told they are not going to trade him. Instead, expect the Panthers to try and trade Cam Newton this offseason. No doubt, going to be one of the biggest storylines with so many big-time, big-name quarterbacks available. Newton is going to be right in the mix, assuming he’s healthy.”
This season, Newton played just two games before being sidelined by a foot injury sustained during the preseason.
