Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera made it through a 16-minute press conference Thursday at the NFL combine without fielding a single question about quarterback Cam Newton.
There were questions about running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Devin Funchess and even backup quarterback Derek Anderson (more on that later).
But nothing about the player who will be working with a different offensive coordinator and a different quarterbacks coach for the first time in five years.
It’s been a relatively quiet offseason for Newton, who last winter (unbeknownst to the public) was resting and then rehabbing his shoulder in the hopes he could avoid surgery.