Cam Newton’s season is over; where he plays next is open question

The Carolina Panthers placed Cam Newton on injured reserve Tuesday, ruling out their franchise quarterback for the remainder of the season and further affirming the murkiness of Newton’s future. For years, Newton has provided stability for his team. This offseason, he could be the NFL’s most fascinating trade possibility.

It is difficult to imagine Newton, a former league MVP and the best player in Carolina’s franchise history, playing in any other uniform. But Tuesday’s news — combined with the performance of backup Kyle Allen and Newton’s contractual status — makes it impossible not to consider the possibility.

Newton, 30, has one year left on his contract for a $21.1 million salary cap hit. The Panthers would only be docked $2 million as a dead cap hit if they traded Newton this offseason, which gives them the chance to deal him with essentially no penalty.

Newton has not played since Week 2, when a Lisfranc injury in his left foot, which he suffered in the third week of preseason, forced him to the sideline. Newton saw two specialists last week, according to the Panthers, and both agreed Newton would require “significant time” to fully recover. The injury took place after he had spent the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery that already had some questioning his long-term health status.

For now, Newton’s future is highly speculative. He could return to Carolina, regardless of Allen’s performance. It is difficult to break a bond between player and franchise as strong as the one Newton and Carolina share.