NFL Draft 2011's first overall pick Cam Newton recently signed a five-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers worth $103 million. Included in the deal is a $60 million guarantee and a $67.6 million disbursement during the first three years, as per the league's official website. The Panthers' starting quarterback will now be receiving a yearly salary of a little more than $20 million, which is more or less 400 percent higher than what he previously earned.

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Evidently, those are pretty huge numbers. But there is one question in the minds of NFL pundits: Is Newton worth it?

From the Panthers' standpoint, he is definitely worth it, according to a report from Oregon Live. At age 26, the former Auburn standout is just moving into the prime of his football career. His durability is also unquestionable as he missed only two games in his four seasons with the team.

Playing with an injury, Newton was able to lead the Panthers past the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs for their first postseason win in nine years. And he did it with nothing much of an offensive lineup but himself.

The Panthers are anointing him as their long-term signal caller that would perhaps command them into championship heights, and their faith in him was demonstrated by giving him a deal that he could not refuse.  

However, to maximize their investment, the management has to form a strong offensive roster that would make the most out of Newton's talents and one that would protect him from injuries as much as possible. Last season, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound four-year veteran got sacked 38 times. If the Panthers want him to last long in the league, they should do a better job defending their prized quarterback.

The two-time Pro Bowler is also known as one of the best all-time running QBs in the NFL with 2,571 career rushing yards under his belt. Last season, he ran for 539 yards, the lowest in his career as per Sports Illustrated, as Carolina tries to limit their play maker's rushes.

If you were the Panthers, you really don't want your main touchdown weapon to be a running quarterback. The team has got to develop or acquire talented wide receivers and running backs that would preserve Newton's health for the long haul.

TagsNFL, NFL 2015, NFL news, NFL News 2015, NFL rumors, NFL Rumors 2015, Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers