Account
Patriots' Cam Newton: 'I Wake Up Mad' About How Panthers Tenure Ended
August 7, 2020
New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton said Friday he's still frustrated with how his nine-year tenure with the Carolina Panthers ended.
"I wake up mad," Newton, who was released by the Panthers in March, told reporters before adding, "the past is the past."
The 31-year-old Auburn University product signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Patriots in July. It's an incentive-laden deal that could reach $7.5 million in total value if he achieves all the individual and team bonuses, per ESPN's Field Yates.
Newton has continued to voice his displeasure with Carolina's decision to cast him off after a decorated stay with the organization that included an appearance in Super Bowl 50 and the 2015 NFL MVP Award. The team signed Teddy Bridgewater in free agency as his replacement.
In July, he posted an Instagram video about the motivation created by his exit from the Panthers (via 247Sports' Brad Crawford).
"You know what makes this s--t different? They ain't never seen this Cam," Newton said. "They ain't never seen him. You want to know how I know? I ain't never seen him. The forgotten Cam. The s--t on Cam. The tired of being sick and tired Cam. Felt like I was just left to die. It's over with for him, he ain't the same player."
Newton dealt with injuries over his final two years in Carolina, including shoulder surgery after the 2018 season and a foot injury that limited him to two appearances in 2019.
He's healthy and ready to compete with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the Pats' starting job throughout an extended training camp with the preseason canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A full-strength Newton would give New England's offense the most immediate upside, but Stidham's experience in the system and the team's likely desire to see whether he can develop into a legitimate franchise quarterback may give him the inside track on opening the year as the starter.
The Patriots are scheduled to open the regular season Sept. 13 with a home game against the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.