Cam calls fit with Patriots, Belichick 'a match made in heaven'

Cam Newton is apparently living his best life in New England.

In the wake of being officially named the Patriots' starter, the former MVP gushed Monday about his experience so far with head coach Bill Belichick and Co., calling the fit "a match made in heaven."

"Honestly, it's been so overwhelming at times that I just haven't been able to really grasp it from a whole totality standpoint," Newton said on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show."

"I was in Carolina and had given everything to that organization that I possibly can, and I will always have a place in my heart for Carolina. But as a professional, you go where you're summoned to go, and what's best for your career. Just as it will be what's best for the organization. I've just been loving myself and loving this opportunity I've had, coming into this position."

Newton inked a one-year, incentive-based deal with New England in late June after receiving minimal interest from other teams on the open market. His deal reportedly contains only $500,000 in guaranteed money, well below the market rate for an experienced starting quarterback.

While it was seemingly inevitable that Newton would be named the team's starter, Belichick eased the ex-Panthers standout into his new home and publicly said Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer were also in the running for the top role.

Newton said he didn't know what to expect when he joined the club, as "The Patriot Way" is infamously not for every player.

"The same questions that a lot of people and talk shows, gossip talk, barber-shop talk, (and) chitter-chatter text messages (that) they wanted to know, I wanted to know as well," Newton said. "Is it real what they say about Belichick? Is it going to be too ... I didn't know. I think, honestly, it's been a match made in heaven for me, just knowing that I'm at a place where everything is pulling in the same direction and everything is geared toward winning.

"Coming from a person that has won at all levels, I feel as if I do the things the right way, trusting a lot of the same people that got me to this point, and trusting coaching, I think this is something that when you look at an opportunity in a timely manner it can be accomplished."

Not only will the 31-year-old be tasked with replacing a legend in Tom Brady, but he'll have to also prove his injury woes are behind him.

Newton played through a shoulder ailment during the second half of the 2018 season and missed most of the last campaign due to a foot issue, leading some to speculate that his best days are behind him.

The star quarterback's first chance to prove his doubters wrong will come in the Patriots' season opener at home Sunday against the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led Miami Dolphins.