CHARLOTTE — Everyone has a plan. But circumstances change. And how quickly you react can make all the difference.
And when the difference is the course of a season, sometimes you have to make bold moves.
The Panthers on Thursday agreed to terms (pending a physical) with veteran quarterback Cam Newton, giving them an opportunity to stabilize their offense at a time when so many other things are going well, and the playoffs are still a realistic possibility with nearly half the season remaining.
Bringing back the former No. 1 overall pick fits the profile of a team that has been willing to move aggressively, including making 13 trades this calendar year alone.
The signing was predicated by the shoulder injury to starter Sam Darnold, who will miss extended time because of an incomplete fracture in his right scapula. While the Panthers have P.J. Walker and just-signed backup Matt Barkley on hand, the addition of Newton brings experience to an offense that already has plenty of weapons.
Newton has started 139 games in the NFL, including 15 last year for the Patriots after his nine years in Charlotte, an era that included a Super Bowl run in 2015.
Walking into an offense with talented targets such as Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore and Robby Anderson could allow for a quick transition, and the familiarity with the first two can only help. Newton's ability to run also matters, since the Panthers have tried to establish that as part of their identity in recent weeks.
And clearly, the opportunity is there for this to make a significant impact.
At 4-5, the Panthers are still very much in the mix for one of the seven playoff spots available in the NFC. And with the way their defense is currently playing, raising the level on offense makes them a more difficult matchup in November and December.
The Panthers rank second in the NFL in total defense, fourth in third-down percentage, and sixth in sacks — remarkable improvements over a year ago. That's what they were hoping for when they spent the entire 2020 NFL Draft and significant resources in free agency and trades to bring in players such as Haason Reddick and Stephon Gilmore.
And with the additions of kicker Zane Gonzalez and punter Lachlan Edwards and improved coverage teams, the special teams units have improved significantly over the course of the season.
"My job is to try to win right now," Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday afternoon. "Our fans aren't paying money to watch us win in two years. At the same time, you're trying to build a Super Bowl-caliber team. So it's a balancing act of doing what's right long-term and trying to win at the same time. Many times those are the same thing.
"There are four teams in the NFC with more than six wins. Everyone else is about like us. Lots of teams right now in the NFL are trying to figure out how to get past .500, and have a good year and win in the second half of the year. . . . My job is to try to win."
There are no guarantees the 32-year-old Newton could be a long-term answer. But this isn't about the years to come, or the things he's done in the past.
This is about now, and maximizing the opportunity for the 2021 Panthers.
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.
