Why would Cam Newton want to stay here?

[Mage]

Why did Steve Smith want to stay here all these years?

People really underestimate the emotional attachment players begin to have with teams.

Now, I'm not saying Newton wouldn't leave us, though I certainly hope not. He very well could. But just because we aren't a good team doesn't make it a guarantee or even close. Maybe Cam stays because he feels we're on the upside (which I don't see why it is so crazy for some of you to fathom - we're better than a lot of people on this site make us out to be; not some top flight team by any means but certainly a lot more competitive than we're talked about here) and likes the city? He's built his own foundation here. He bought a home here.

[0115]

I'm here to raise my post count.

[Montsta]

I love how no one here is capable of having a conversation without flaming. I'm asking a serious question.

What makes you so sure Cam wouldn't be willing to take a little less money to be in a much better situation with a better chance of winning.

With the salary cap being flat right now, what team do you see him going to that has a better chance of winning than us, is in a desirable location for an entertainer and icon, needs a franchise QB, and has $21MM/year extra just burning a hole in their pocket waiting to be spent? Good teams have franchise QB's. Teams without franchise QB's that are competitive deep into the playoffs are typically up against the cap with other talent, or have young studs due for a big payday. Crap teams like Cleveland or Jacksonville are not gonna draw him even with $45MM in cap space. SF is probably the biggest exception to the rule in that they are a contender that happened to luck out and they are paying their new franchise QB like $1MM for the next couple years, and even they couldn't afford a Flacco type contract. The amount of teams fitting the criteria to make such an unprecedented move must be slim to none.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Until the day they get rid of the Franchise Tag, Newton will be a Panther. Unless Atlanta tries to sign him he is as close to home as he is going to get. i believe he truly believes that he will get us to the promise land. I think that is part of the reason Hurney was let go. Our new GM will find the right players that Cam needs.

His talent will show with these first two years when he has to deal with Hurney screw ups.

[Mage]

With the salary cap being flat right now, what team do you see him going to that has a better chance of winning than us, is in a desirable location for an entertainer and icon, needs a franchise QB, and has $20.1MM/year burning a hole in their pocket?

This is another thing too. Odds are if you need a franchise QB, you aren't good anyway. No reason to think we're going to somehow be a worse than those teams 3-5 years from now, whenever Newton is a free agent.

And considering Newton left Florida for Blinn College (and no, unlike the misconception that was spreading before the draft, he wasn't kicked out), I really don't think he cares about location.

[ECUPantherFan]

I won't say that I agree with the OP, but I will say that I have been worried since day 1 that Cam is going to leave us at some point during his prime. However, the more I've "gotten to know him" over the past couple seasons, that worry is going away. Cam is growing up. Give Gettleman some time to help Cam. Plus, we're not THAT bad off talent-wise... we have a good defense, dynamic offensive players, etc. We just need an O-Line for Cam, and I bet you the OP will be singing a different tune real quick.

[MadHatter]

Cam has always talked about how he wants to be great. We don't have poo for players around him and we won't be able to get any with our cap situation. It has ruined us for the next 2 seasons leading up to the end of his contract.

Why would he want to sign a contract with a team that isn't able to get any better? I sure hope the next two years of draft picks pan out because that's our only way of acquiring players.

If I were a professional athlete playing in a city with poo poor fans like yourself.....I would probably leave too.

God how the Huddle has reached an all time low.

We now make the Falcon, Bucs, and Saints boards look fantastic.

[Kurb]

This has come up over and over and I want to address the OP and the subject in general.

Cam Newton will stay here mainly because high profile NFL players don't have a choice.

He is under contract for 4 years with a 5th year option for the team.

We can Franchise him twice, where he can either play and increase his value, not play and decrease his value or find a trade partner to give us something akin to the RG3 trade.

So Cam is in Charlotte (or his value is in Charlotte) for roughly the next 6/7 years.

Yes he wants to win, yes he wants to be great. Know what else is cool? 100 million dollars.

He has signed huge deals with Gatoraid, Under Armor, has his own clothing line with NC retailer Belk, and has already hit the TV circuit during Media Week of this years superbowl.

Cam has already transcended the "small market" of Charlotte.

If he was a Jet (for example) what would he get more of?

Bigger local deals offered (does he even want them? see UA and Gatoraid money)

Exceptionally higher scrutiny from the local and national media (Charlotte Beat Writers can barely make whole sentences)

Same Contract $

There is simply no reason for him to leave.

You are assuming the team will not improve (not able to be known) and the Cam wants out (not able to be known).

Cam won't leave, mostly because it makes zero sense to leave.

[MadHatter]

If I were a professional athlete playing in a city with poo poor fans like yourself.....I would probably leave too.

God how the Huddle has reached an all time low.

The Huddle used to be the best pantehrs MB in Charlotte for informaiton and intelligent discussion of the Panthers. Now every thread is a bitch session....pitty session....or just down right dumb thread.

We now make the Falcon, Bucs, and Saints boards look fantastic.

We are ALL better than this.

[SCP]

Also, when the team is sold and we move to LA then Cam will have the big stage and the Panthers will lead the universe in apparel sales.

*da dum, chsssshhhhhh*

[Happy Panther]

In approximately 12 months we will give him a long term lucrative contract. He will take it.

[CatMan72]

Because we gave him a chance when the whole world had labeled him a bust.

[BigSyke]

so what you are saying if newton contract was up and the 2009 vikings paid him the money they paid brett favre, he would then leave.......i can respect dat.

still probably wont happen doe. peace.

[hepcat]

These threads will go away once the team makes the playoffs.