Panthers' Cam Newton may have to adapt play style as he ages

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton could have to start altering his playing style as he gets older, head coach Ron Rivera admitted.

What It Means:

"He’s getting older and he’s going to be a different style player," Rivera said. "We have to evolve." Newton has missed only four games in six seasons — one due to a car accident — but has gradually begun to pick up more lingering issues. He's been struggling through a shoulder ailment down the stretch of 2016. "Changing" sounds good in theory for Newton, but it's his running threat/willingness to take hits that makes him a special player. Change will be hard in this case.

It's Newton's passing that has to evolve, as he earned -15.84 Net Expected Points on 43 passing attempts in Week 16, per numberFire Live.