Here's the definitive post about where we stand with Cam Newton's future with the team

[JARROD]

These “definitive” sources were Tepper Hurney or Ron?

no

so they are just drama queens stoking a fire.

you guys are all charcoal

[RenoCarolina]

Good thread for sure.  Such a complicated situation that first instinct is "reset"

Obviously I am a Panther fan first, so if Cam should move on I will wish him well but I would never root for a team he was on "just because".  That does not mean I don't appreciate how Cam has shouldered this team and dragged it kicking and screaming to the top of the NFL and challenging for playoff positions year after year.

But Cam taking the route of getting outside opinion and basically forcing the Panthers to IR him is a game changer. To argue otherwise is to expose yourself as a "quid pro quo naysayer".

The Panthers have to view Cam as an asset and have to plan to get the best out of that asset.  Richardson and previous GM's always infuriated me by not getting a fair return for a player under contract.  Cam wants to be IR'd to protect his options?  Good for him!  

But the Panthers need to protect their own options, and sell high next spring if there is a buyer.

Can the Panthers win with Allen?  Those that say he can't are hanging their opinion on one game.  The Nov/Dec games will tell us and give us more options, including Cam, for next year.

But right now, right here, I fully expect playoffs for this team even without Cam.  The offseason is for the offseason.