Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had a disappointing 2016 season.

Just one year removed from his MVP campaign, he completed just 52.9 percent of his passes for 3,509 yards along with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

He simply didn’t look like himself. 

It was recently revealed that Newton would need to undergo late-March surgery on his throwing shoulder, stemming from an injury that occurred in Week 14 of this past season. 

While the 2017 season doesn’t begin until the fall, any type of surgery, especially on a throwing shoulder, doesn’t sound good for any quarterback. However, head coach Ron Rivera spoke to NFL Network’s Judy Battista at the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona and did his best to clarify the situation.

When asked whether or not Newton will be ready for Week 1, Rivera responded:

"Without a doubt. There is no concern, at least in talking with the trainers and doctors. I'm very confident that things are going to go along very well. They have a timeframe that they've mapped out for the most part. He'll be working with the trainers and he'll be working with us for the most part during the OTAs and minicamps.”

Newton is reportedly slated to go under the knife on March 30 to repair his partially torn rotator cuff. Via NFL.com, the Panthers’ head athletic trainer said that the plan is for Newton to start throwing with the team 16 weeks after surgery (mid-July).

Rivera thinks the time off will be beneficial to his embattled quarterback.

"I think the rest will be good for him. I think it'll help to clear his mind and refocus. I think part of it also is rebuilding that confidence," Rivera noted. "I think his confidence was shook. I think there were a lot of things that went on last year that did create that situation for him to feel that way, starting with the offensive line."

While Newton is arguably asked to do more than any other quarterback in the entire NFL, he might have to make some alterations to how he approaches certain situations, especially avoiding contact as much as possible. Upgrading the offensive line is also a priority for the Panthers, since they provided their quarterback with very little protection last season. 

In 2015, Newton was sensational, throwing for 3,837 yards with 35 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions, which led to his first-ever MVP honor. 

Panthers fans will hope and pray that after undergoing surgery, he returns to that level of play and forgets about the 2016 season as a whole.

By all accounts, he will be ready to start fresh in Week 1.