Cam Newton is formally the new beginning quarterback of the New England Patriots.
An individual acquainted with the circumstance said Thursday that Newton was declared as the starter during a team meeting. The individual talked on the state of anonymity in light of the fact that the team has not publicly declared the decision.
The Boston Globe previously detailed the decision.
The move was expected after the 2015 league MVP beat second-year Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer during training camp. Newton, who signed with the Patriots in July in the wake of being released via Carolina, succeeds Tom Brady following his departure to Tampa Bay in free office.
Newton was additionally declared as one of eight team captains, alongside uncommon teamer Matt Slater, center David Andrews, running back James White, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, defensive lineman Lawrence Guy, security Devin McCourty and cornerback Jason McCourty.
“I will not and do not take this opportunity for granted!’ Newton wrote in a post on Instagram along with the captains’ announcement. ”I’m so grateful for this organization, my teammates and this city. Thank You! No need to look back now.”
The Patriots open the season Sept. 13 at home against Miami.
Coach Bill Belichick has been generally mum all through camp about what direction he was inclining for the beginning job at quarterback. Yet, In an interview on SiriusXM Radio on Monday he praised Newton’s work ethic and the amount of progress he’s appeared over the previous month.
“He’s very, very competitive on the field. He always wants to do his best and do better than the guys he’s competing against,” Belichick said. “Everybody’s competitive, but I think there’s different degrees of it. … Based on what I’ve seen I would put him in the top echelon of that.”
The greatest inquiries concerning Newton entering camp encompassed his health. He showed up in just two games for the Panthers last season before being set on harmed save with a broken bone in his foot, which required surgery. He additionally had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder before the 2019 season.
He’s given no indications of either irritating him during camp and has reliably been the most precise passer in practice.
He said a week ago that he had an inclination that he was making progress of jelling with his new colleagues as well as cleaning up observations that individuals may have previously held about him.
“There’s been some things that a lot of people may have not known about me prior to (joining the Patriots),” Newton said. “I just want to make sure that — for me and my worth to this team — that I’m as accessible to this team as I can possibly be. … Whatever coach needs me to be, whatever the players expect me to be and whenever I expect me to be, I’m willing to do that and go over and beyond for that.”
