2) It’s Complicated

Rivera also indicated shoulder surgery won’t be on Newton’s offseason agenda. So what will help him heal up?

“Rest, a lot of rest,” Newton said. “I think me and football have a love-hate relationship and we’re not on good terms right now. I’m just going to leave her alone for a while and just try to be as regular as possible right now.”

Newton, like most of his teammates, now head into an offseason that will last a month and a half longer than this past one. But before he walked off the podium for the final time in what’s been the most disappointing year of his career, Newton clarified:

“That was a joke by the way. I don’t want to see on The Charlotte Observer: ‘Cam loves, now he hates football. He may not come back next year.’

“Listen, I just want to get away from football just like every person by default. We’re not going to the playoffs, so we just have to make the most of our opportunity right now. Like I say, I am just going to get 100 percent and miss it again.”