What’s riding on Panthers’ offensive makeover? No less than Cam Newton’s future

When Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton arrived from Auburn as the No. 1 pick in 2011, he brought with him a zone-read rushing wrinkle that had never been used in the NFL.

Newton and former Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski were credited with establishing the read-option blueprint that athletic quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III followed.

But as defenses adjust and Newton gets older, the zone read is slowly becoming a relic in the Carolina offense.

[POSITION ANALYSIS: Despite Cam Newton’s struggles, QB roster seems set for 2017]

Prepare to hear a lot about the evolution of the Panthers’ offense this offseason as head coach Ron Rivera and his…