Ron Rivera says Cam Newton wants to prove he deserved huge contract

Oct 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Panthers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

When Cam Newton signed his five-year, $103.8 million contract back in June, it came with mixed opinions. Some thought he deserved the huge deal, while others believed he hadn't earned it.

Regardless, Newton is now looking to prove that he more than deserves the big payday. According to David Newton of ESPN, head coach Ron Rivera said his quarterback is playing like a man looking to show everyone that he does indeed deserve what he signed for.

"He has earned it," Panthers coach Ron Rivera told ESPN Monday, of Newton's contract. "Now he wants to show everybody he deserves it. That is part of why he competes the way he does."

"He works hard at it. A lot of people don't understand there is a lot of time he puts in behind the scenes.

"At the end of the day he is one of the last guys to leave."

No matter what your opinion of Newton and his style of play is, he's led the Panthers to a 5-0 start and has proven that both he and the Panthers are the real deal.

MORE NEWS: Want stories delivered to you? Sign up for our NFL newsletters.