Cam Newton is back with the Panthers and auditions for the NFL

The most obvious is his viability as a beginner, and there are stakes attached to his capacity. The Panthers are a 5-5 team with a statistically stellar defense that is playoff-worthy, and Christian McCaffrey, their elite running back, is finally fit. If Newton can manage the games and make a few plays in the red area, the Panthers could slide into the post-season as a wild card, which would strengthen Newton’s case for the prize pool. The game he deserves is a trusted and paid No. 1 midfielder.