Super Bowl 50: What Comes Next For Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton

Super Bowl 50 was heartbreak for Cam Newton and Carolina but the best destination for Peyton Manning and Denver — where to from here, though?

Cam Newton’s Super Bowl experience was nothing at all like what he, or most of the nation for that matter, hoped it would go.

For the entirety of the game, the newly named NFL MVP, often nicknamed “Superman”, looked as if he’d finally found out what kryptonite was — and it was all bad for the man clad in black.

Newton came into the big game after romping both the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals en route to walking away practically unscathed from the NFC; it’s too bad that it was simply fool’s gold.

In the two weeks time given for preparation for the Super Bowl, it appears as though Carolina wasn’t able to give enough focus on trying to confuse the Broncos or switch up their offensive attack.

How can you know this for certain?

Championship caliber defense speaks for itself, and this year’s Denver squad is our latest example.

To further the example, the fact that Peyton Manning — a legend in the NFL, mind you — was practically ineffective and he still had a better production level when his team needed him compared to Newton’s efforts is a shocker.

Manning could barely even get the offense to score following the latest Cam Newton blunder on what could’ve been a game-winning drive for Carolina.

As you’ll see, many are calling out his effort — or lack thereof, really — on a play that decided the winner of this year’s Lombardi Trophy:

Looks a little weird, right?

Don’t worry, Twitter had a field day with this baffling play, as usual:

One of the responses that Deadspin got on this tweet was rather amusing and to the point:

And then comments like this:

Newton’s troubles, unfortunately, didn’t end with the bad viewing that the country saw unfold against the Broncos — it extended to the press conference afterwards.

Clearly frustrated, Newton didn’t have much patience at all for the media, seeming to channel his inner Marshawn Lynch in giving remarkably short answers to questions about the game.

This was the end result:

While the Panthers went 15-1 in the regular season and definitely romped two top-tier teams en route to a Super Bowl appearance, the lack of veteran leadership in the big game was what cost them in the end.

Newton will have a heavy road ahead of him, largely because despite his egregious output, the Panthers’ last rallying cry fell short because he failed to throw himself on the ball when his team needed him the most.

Moving forward, Newton will have to be sure not to have his own focus be the priority if he does get the chance at another Super Bowl.

Which, considering that Kelvin Benjamin will be back in action next year, could be a very real possibility.

As for Manning and the Broncos, this is the perfect chance for him to ride off into the sunset.

Next: Todd Gurley Named 2015-16 Offensive Rookie Of The Year

But for Cam Newton, that long ride is just beginning.