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After long period being unsigned, Cam Newton says it’s ‘surreal’ to be playing for Patriots.
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Cam Newton wakes up every day and can’t believe it.
He honestly didn’t think he’d be here – in Massachusetts, on the Patriots and trying to replace Tom Brady. The 31-year-old was shocked when Bill Belichick called this summer and now finds it surreal just driving to Gillette Stadium for training camp.
As the Patriots move on from life with Brady, they have a new quarterback who sounds motivated and ecstatic to be in Foxborough. On Aug. 7, Newton talked for the first time since signing a one-year deal with the Patriots and said that every day he wakes up a Patriot has been amazing.
“I’m still constantly in – I don’t want to say disbelief at this particular point in time, but it’s just a surreal moment. Nobody really knows how excited I am just to be a part of this organization in many ways than one,” Newton said. “Just following up such a powerful dynasty that is enriched in so much prestige and lineage of success, that for me, a lot of people would hide from the notion to do certain things. But for me, man, I think this opportunity is something that I wake up pinching myself each and every day.
“And it’s so surreal coming down One Patriot Place each and every day and seeing the whole ambiance. It’s not only that, but seeing so much support around the city of Boston and Foxborough. It’s just such a great environment for not only myself, but players included. It’s just crazy. I just find myself putting on shirts and I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ ”
Newton said he was blown away by the Patriots’ “professionalism” when the team first contacted him this summer. He talked with Belichick, owner Robert Kraft and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on the phone. Although he was caught off guard by the change, he called it “invigorating” to be on a new team, trying to replace a legend and learning a new system.
Of course, Newton has plenty of reasons to be motivated. The Panthers released him after nine seasons in which the quarterback made three Pro Bowls and led Carolina to a 15-1 record in 2015. In free agency, Newton saw other quarterbacks, including career backups, get new deals while he remained unsigned.
Then the NFL draft came, and he still didn’t have a home. Before he knew it, it was June and all the teams wrapped up their spring meetings.
Newton said those months were hard. He started to wonder if he’d even find a new home, but he used it all as motivation and took out his frustration in his training sessions.
“Honestly, the wait was so long that I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that a lot of different potentials didn’t kind of creep into your mind,” said Newton. “But yet, through it all, I had an unbelievable supporting cast in my family, friends, and the ones that kept me straight on the narrow and kept me focused on what I need to be doing.
“And I used that as fuel. I used that as something as a constant reminder that I just need to use these 24 hours to get better. Whether you get treatment, whether you get physically, or even mental.”
A big reason why Newton went unsigned for so long was his health. He played in just two games last season and needed foot surgery to repair a Lisfranc fracture. The quarterback also had two different shoulder surgeries in the preview two years.
As it pertains to his health, Newton thinks he’s turned a corner, saying, “As far as how I feel right now, I feel amazing. I feel great.”
He also added he’s “full-go” in practice.
As it pertains to the team, many wondered how Newton would mesh with Belichick. He even admitted that he had some preconceived notions about the Patriots’ coach. However, after being in the building, Newton loves the fit.
“Listen, listen, there’s a lot of things that I’ll just say is a perception. But at the end of the day, it’s just football,” Newton said.
“I’ve loved it ever since I’ve been here – going on a week now. You hear rumors about certain things, but once you get settled in, none of that really matters. It’s about find a way to prove your worth on the team.”