Panthers QB Cam Newton at the NFL Network studios Friday. (Gary A. Vasquez/NFL)

Mercifully, it appears official. The “what number will Cam Newton wear?” mini-controversy is over.

After the Panthers drafted the Heisman Trophy winner No. 1 overall last month, talk turned to which quarterback — Newton or incumbent Jimmy Clausen — would wear No. 2 for Carolina. Clausen didn’t seem inclined to hand over the number, which Newton donned at Auburn, or his job.

During a Friday visit to NFL Network — he’ll appear on “NFL Total Access” at 7 p.m. ET — Newton set the record straight on the jersey-versy. Let’s just say he has bigger things on his mind.

“I really don’t care. It’s just a number to me,” Newton said. “Gossip sells, and I understand that with people hearing I wore No. 2 in college, and Jimmy has it right now, (but) it’s not a big deal to me. I just want to get that out of the way and throw it out there. It’s not the number. It’s the person wearing it.”

For the sake of Panthers punter Jason Baker, who also spoke out about the story, and many others, hopefully this whole thing has been put to bed. And if you’re wondering what number Newton will wear, he doesn’t know — or seem to care much.

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