CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton is welcoming the idea of sharing the spotlight in Carolina.
Newton has been the focal point of the Panthers’ offense for the past seven seasons, but that’s about to change — at least to some degree.
Sure, Newton will still be running the show and remain a dual-threat QB, but coach Ron Rivera has made it clear Christian McCaffrey will play a much larger role this season, saying that it would be “ideal” to get the second-year running back 25 to 30 touches per game.
That’s a lot.
McCaffrey averaged less than half that amount of touches as a rookie and still managed 1,086 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns, so there’s potential for him to have a big season.
Most of McCaffrey’s production came as a receiver in 2017, where he set a franchise rookie record with 80 receptions and five TD catches. But after releasing all-time leading rusher Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers are eager to feature McCaffrey more in the running game — similar to how new Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner used LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego.
“I could see Christian, especially if he continues to develop the way we think he can, being a very integral part of what we want to do,” Rivera said.
And it’s all part of the overall design to take some of the pressure off Newton, who led the team in rushing as well as passing last season.
One of the reasons Turner was brought in was to find new and creative ways to get McCaffrey the ball, particularly in open space where he’s difficult to tackle because of his speed and shiftiness.
McCaffrey has been featured extensively in the preseason, touching the ball 10 times for 51 yards on Carolina’s opening 16-play drive against the New England Patriots in the third preseason game.
— The Associated Press
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What’s on Tap?
- MLB: Rockies at Padres, 8:10 p.m. Thursday, ATTRM
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
Scoreboard
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Must-Read
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By The Numbers
$134 million
Aaron Rodgers agrees to megadeal with Packers to become NFL’s highest-paid player
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Parting Shot
Von Miller loves Pacman signing, takes friendly swipe at Aqib Talib
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