CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton rarely talks to reporters when players clean out their lockers the day after the final game.
On Monday, as the organization prepared for its most uncertain offseason in at least nine years, Newton wasn't around.
With a coaching search heating up -- Carolina formally requested to interview several of the league's top offensive coordinators -- the elephant in the locker room wasn't even in the room.
Whomever Carolina hires to replace coach Ron Rivera will need to pick a quarterback. Newton had surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury in his foot that ended his season in Week 2 and there are no guarantees the first pick of the 2011 draft will be back for the final year of his contract.