The varying reports about whether or not the Carolina Panthers expect quarterback Cam Newton to be traded or remain on the team received little clarity on Tuesday when new head coach Matt Rhule spoke with reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
"I am unbelievably excited to get a chance to work with Cam," Rhule said. "I really want him on the team. When Cam is healthy, he's one of the best of the best."
Rhule still wouldn't give any definitive answer about whether Newton would be on the roster next season, or whether he will be the starting quarterback, which NFL Network's Ian Rappoport reported earlier.
"I won't speculate about the future of any player on our team but I'd like to get him healthy," Rhule added. "I'm not going to say anybody is a starter yet. I want to create a culture of competition and where nothing is promised to anybody. That has nothing to do with Cam, just overall philosophy."
Reports have said that Newton is expected to be physically cleared by March, so teams can trade for him, but Rhule stated that the team isn't concerned about the timeline.
"We need to have a really disciplined program. We haven't seen a healthy Cam for two years," Rhule said. "I really don't care if he's full speed until September, but we have to make sure we have a process and bring him back slowly."
In contrast to Rappoport's report, Yahoo! Senior NFL Reporter Charles Robinson reported on Monday night that the Panthers are still open to trade offers for Newton.
Rhule did not completely shut that down but left the door open for any player.
"Philosophically, we will always explore every opportunity to improve our roster," Rhule said. "That has nothing to do with just one player. We will do that forever no matter who it is. That has nothing to do with Cam.
"I absolutely want Cam here. There's no doubt about that. But at the end of the day, it's about getting him healthy. We just have to get him there."