The Panthers could be without their star quarterback next season.
Carolina owner David Tepper did not rule out Cam Newton missing all of 2019 because of a lingering shoulder injury when he met with reporters Tuesday. He said the team is considering all of its options.
"If you told me he took a year off and could recover and be fully recovered and everything else, and that's what it took, an extra year, why wouldn't you do (that)?" Tepper said, via the Charlotte Observer .
The Panthers got off to a strong start in 2018 but Newton's discomfort became more apparent as the season continued. Carolina lost seven of its last eight games to finish the year 7-9, which was good for third in the NFC South.
Tepper said the team would determine a plan at quarterback that will put it in the best "position to win" if Newton did not play next season.
“You know what you might be facing next year — or not facing," Tepper said. "Hopefully, Cam’s shoulder is fantastic and we’re all happy. If it’s not, you may need more cap space. You may need to be able to go out and find somebody."
The Panthers shut down Newton for the final two games of the season because of the injury. The team is still determining whether he will need surgery on the shoulder.
"There’s a lot of people looking to figure out what’s the best course of action,” Tepper said about Newton undergoing surgery. “Hopefully, he’ll be better and good in the first game of the year.”