No Need to Worry About Newton

If Carolina fans weren't already head over heels in love with QB Cam Newton, they should be now.

On Monday, Newton said on the "Dan Patrick Show" that he won't hold out for a contract extension.

"I'm not worried about contract discussions right now. My main focus is just becoming the better player I can become."

It's no secret that the Panthers are in a bit of a mess with their salary cap right now, with 21 players set to become free agents, including DE Greg Hardy, who has already said he wants a lot of money. It isn't likely Carolina will dish out the money Hardy wants, simply because they can't afford to.

Newton is entering his final year of his four year rookie contract. He is eligible for a contract extension, but the Panthers also have the option to exercise a fifth-year option on his contract, meaning he'd still be under contract after the upcoming season.

Although both GM Dave Gettleman and Head Coach Ron Rivera have said Newton is their franchise QB, there has been no indication to get Cam an extension.

If you're worrying about Cam leaving, don't.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Newton said "My agreement with the Panthers, it's not something that you can just say off the top of your head. My relationship with (Panthers owner and founder) Mr. (Jerry) Richardson runs deep. Hopefully I will be able to get that long-term deal because Charlotte is a place I can call home."

The fact that Newton has stated his main focus is becoming a better player and that he wants to stay with the Panthers is not only a testament to how much he has matured since being drafted number one overall in the 2011 draft, but it should give Panthers fans plenty of hope and get rid of any worries of Cam walking out on the team.

The simple fact of the matter is that Newton is Carolina's franchise QB, but Carolina does not have the ability to give Newton the extension he deserves. After this upcoming season, however, expect the Panthers to lock Cam in for a while. They'll have more money to work with. Right now, thanks to former GM Marty Hurney, the Panthers have a bad situation on their hands due to so many players becoming free agents and not enough money to re-sign all of them. Some shouldn't be re-signed, such as QB Jimmy Clausen. Others, like LT Jordan Gross, were pivotal to the team's success this year.

Because GM Dave Gettleman is a genius, he'll figure out a way to re-sign the players that Carolina really needs, along with finding some players in free agency and the draft. There may have to be many players that restructure their contracts, but if this team hopes to make a Super Bowl run, there will have to be sacrifices.

All in all, let's not worry about Cam. He's not going anywhere.