#Patriots’ Cam Newton: ‘I wake up mad’ over Panthers release

Cam Newton is happy to be with the New England Patriots this season, and that’s bad news for 31 other NFL teams.

The former MVP was unceremoniously released from the Carolina Panthers in March, with questions about his health keeping him on the free agent market until the Patriots — foraying into a post-Tom Brady world — signed him to a low-risk, one-year deal.

“I wake up mad,” Newton said of how his Panthers tenure ended on a conference call Friday. “I’m a self motivator.”

Despite telling reporters “the past is the past,” the 31-year-old dual-threat quarterback hasn’t hid his displeasure with Carolina since his release. His final season with the Panthers was marred by injury. With coronavirus preventing teams from getting up-close looks at him, Newton felt the uncertainty in his future this offseason.

“Honestly, the wait was so long I’d be lying if I didn’t say a lot of potentials didn’t creep into my mind,” he said. “I used it as fuel, as a constant reminder.”

Newton joins New England as the presumptive starter, though coach Bill Belichick won’t hand him the reins just yet. He’ll battle it out with second-year QB Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer — “Stiddy” and “Hoyster,” as they’ve been nicknamed by Newton. Coming with the starting competition, Newton has begun studying a whole new playbook.

“This (expletive) is calculus,” Newton said he told receiver Julian Edelman the first time they spoke.

The crash courses have begun for the Patriots, with practices in Foxborough under way. There’s still time for Newton to get everything — his health, a fresh playbook, and a chip on his shoulder — ready for the Patriots season opener on Sept. 13.

“The season isn’t here yet,” Newton said. “How I feel right now? I feel amazing. I feel great. At this particular time sir, I’m full go.”