Panthers bench Newton, will start Darnold at QB vs. Saints
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea (50) and defensive end Ndamukong Suh during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea (50) and defensive end Ndamukong Suh during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dec. 26, 2021 03:19 PM EST
Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Dec. 26, 2021 02:22 PM EST
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule talks with quarterback Sam Darnold during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Dec. 26, 2021 01:57 PM EST
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Dec. 26, 2021 04:08 PM EST