The Cam Newton era in New England is underway. The former league MVP posted a video on Monday evening, acknowledging his agreement to join the Patriots on a one-year deal, while also officially bidding Carolina and the Panthers organization farewell.
The near six-minute vlog -- which is titled "Farewell Carolina, Hello New England" -- initially flashes back to March 17, when the Panthers gave Newton's camp the permission to seek a trade. It was at that moment when Newton, who is running on a treadmill, highlights how he wanted to spend his entire career in Carolina.
"I feel let down, but at the same time, I'm not bitter," Newton said of how his tenure with the Panthers came to an end. "I've been with a great organization for as long as I've been in the NFL and I'm sad for this day to come. At the end of the day, in the famous words of Nipsy [Hustle]: 'The marathon continues.' "
"Don't believe the hype," Newton added. "I never once, and I'll say this right now, I never once wanted to leave Carolina. Don't let them make you believe. It was their decision. I stuck with it and I knew that, so I asked for a trade."
The Panthers released Newton on March 24 after failing to find a trade partner and he has since found a home with the Patriots, where he'll compete with veteran Brian Hoyer and second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the opportunity to begin the post-Tom Brady era under center. After a highlight package of Newton's on-the-field and off-the-field moments during his time in Carolina, the YouTube video cuts to highlights of Newton's rehab, and ultimately the 31-year-old briefly touches on joining New England.
"Oh, what a feeling. So much on my mind right now, but I'm going to keep this [expletive] brief," Newton said. "I'm at your neck."
Newton was limited to just two games for the Panthers last season after suffering a Lisfranc fracture. If he can return to 2015 form where he was the NFL MVP or even the 2018 version of himself where he completed nearly 68% of his passes, Newton should be looked at as the favorite to land the starting quarterback job in Foxborough
