Cam Newton believes Panthers' real problem is bigger than Bryce Young

The Carolina Panthers' 3-5 record reflects the parity of an NFC South division that remains up for grabs. Cam Newton sees Bryce Young navigating the inevitable highs and lows that define every NFL quarterback's career. 

Cam Newton sees roster flaws, not a quarterback problem 

As part of a conversation with The Athletic's Jonathan Jones about Cam Newton's Amazon Prime series "4th & 1 Presents: Quarterback Club," Newton shared his thoughts on Bryce Young's development in Carolina as the fourth-year starter, with the 3-5 Panthers currently atop the NFC South.

“It’s very important for Bryce and other quarterbacks to kind of understand your road to your standard will have many different turns and twists, peaks and valleys," Newton said via The Athletic. "The important thing is that you are able to, No. 1, find any way to win. If you win, everything else can be forgiven. But if you’re not winning, then it puts more of the onus on: why aren’t we winning?"

Newton framed the conversation as roster-construction issues, saying Carolina would be better served identifying weaknesses at positions such as guard, center, or along the defensive line than searching for answers at quarterback. 

Cam Newton believes Bryce Young's growth is shaped by learning how to respond to losses

Newton pointed out that Young was accustomed to success long before he reached the NFL. He won at Mater Dei High School, excelled at Alabama, and led Carolina to playoff contention last season. 

Because of that background, Young hasn't spent much of his football life dealing with sustained struggles or questions about whether he can lead an NFL franchise to success. 

“So he’s a guy [Bryce] that’s so likable that it’s easy for him to have won everywhere that he’s been, to taste last year’s playoff impact," Newton continued. "But he can’t be deterred. What this league has taught me: Unfortunately, you’re going to lose. But in those losses, how are you optimistic about taking what you did great and building off of that?”

Panthers face reinforced Saints in key division clash

Carolina travels to the Big Easy looking to strengthen its hold on the NFC South against the New Orleans Saints (3-5). After missing time with a left hamstring injury, Travis Etienne Jr. is poised to return to the Saints' backfield for the first time since Week 3. 

"I'm just keeping my head focused right now, just get on my game plan, so [when] they do call me up, I'm ready," Etienne Jr. said when he spoke with the media on Friday, Nov. 13, via the New Orleans Saints team website. 

"I feel great, man ... the week went great, I got better and better as the week went on, I feel like it's more so just like maybe ... a mental block, honestly," Etienne Jr. said. "As I kept going, it kept getting better and better throughout the week ... Once I get that first hit in that game, I'll be ready to go; it's back to football."