CHARLOTTE – Cam Newton doesn't intend to sit around this Sunday when the Panthers are on a bye and watch football all day.
But with each passing Sunday, more and more people are watching Newton play football.
Newton is being touted as a top candidate for league MVP one quarter into the NFL season. Newton's head coach can see why and appreciates the sentiment, but he doesn't plan to spend his bye weekend campaigning for hypothetical votes.
"We're trying to not listen to the noise," head coach Ron Rivera said. "It's nice to know you're getting that type of recognition – that people are beginning to see the positive qualities you have as a football player – but we try to keep our focus.
"The thing that's more important than anything else is winning games."
Newton concurred.
"That's not important right now. That's irrelevant," he said of the national attention. "No disrespect to anybody, but we're just four games into, hopefully, a 19-week season."
A 19-week season would equate to a trip to the Super Bowl, and the Panthers are off to a good start in that pursuit, entering the bye with a 4-0 record. The play of Newton, now in his fifth season, is a prominent reason for the strong start.
"It's his best complete football as far as how he's doing things, the command he has of the game and of what we're doing on the offensive side," Rivera said when asked if Newton is playing the best football of his career. "He's understanding how people are trying to attack and then putting us in the best position to have success. His decision-making process – and a lot of things are put on his shoulders with protections, coverages, audibles, checks – he's got a lot of leeway in what we're doing now, and you see the effectiveness of what he's doing.
"He understands. He's getting it."
And Newton, to his credit, also understands that he's still got growth in front of him.
"There are still things when you watch film that you feel like you can get better at, and that's the great thing about this game. The perfect game is still out there," Newton said.
What exactly can he do better?
"I say it all the time – just consistency at my position. Knowing when and when not to do certain things, and having good technique. Following through, having great feet in the pocket, trusting the protection, knowing the protection. Just having the offense working extremely fluid."
For the next few days, though, Newton will allow himself a moment to have other things on his mind, many of them involving food and fun.
Still, he won't allow his mind to stray too far from what's on the horizon for the Panthers.
"I'm going to hit a couple of restaurants in Atlanta – I'm a breakfast guy. I'll spend some quality time with the family. May catch my youngest brother's football game," Newton said. "And I'll be trying to get mended up – mentally and physically.
"I was teasing about slices of pizza and stuff like that, but that might just be the plan for tonight or Thursday, maybe Friday. But Saturday, Sunday, you've got to push away from the table a little bit. I plan on having a great time, just like everybody else, but I have to be a professional about it and still be mindful of being ready to go when we get back."
View photos from Cam Newton's career in Carolina from his rookie year in 2011 through 2019. Newton is Carolina's all-time leader in nearly every quarterback statistical category.
Carolina Panthers celebrate after defeating the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC Conference Championship
Cam Newton visits various locations around Charlotte during his annual Santa Cam's Surprise Sleigh on Tuesday, December 11, 2018.
Cam Newton runs for a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Cam Newton celebrates after a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, at Bank of America Stadium.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown with Cam Newton against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton visits the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club on Marsh Road on November 12, 2018.
Cam Newton and Julius Peppers laugh on the sidelines during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Carolina Panther Cam Newton (1) dives for the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown in the endzone against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton gives away a football and bracelet to fans during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton smiles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Cam Newton looks to pass during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton and Thomas Davis travel for their game against Washington on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018.
Cam Newton (1) looks for a fan to give the ball away to after scoring against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton leaps in the air as he rushes the ball during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Cam Newton scores a touchdown during a week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018.
Cam Newton during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 23, 2018.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Steve Smith visits Cam Newton during Panthers practice on Thursday, September 6, 2018.
Cam Newton passes during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Cam Newton during the Carolina Panthers game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October, 29, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
Cam Newton Carolina Panthers against Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, September 9, 2018.
Greg Olsen and Cam Newton celebrate a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton passes against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton runs out of the tunnel during pregame against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart celebrate a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) leaps over center Ryan Kalil (67) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Justin Bethel (28) and strong safety Tony Jefferson (22) to score on a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter during the NFC Championship game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan 24, 2016. The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 49-15. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Cam Newton carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
