Cam Newton is making a strong impression in New England.
The larger-than-life 2011 No. 1 overall pick has already exceeded expectations since joining the Patriots in late June and has helped lead the team — which many wrote off after Tom Brady’s departure — to a respectable 2-1 start. But longtime Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels says it’s Newton’s character and humility that’s stood out to him thus far.
“I have been super impressed with his humility,” McDaniels said Tuesday, via NESN.com. “This guy has accomplished a lot in his career. Being 10 years in the league and doing all the things he has done, coming here and having no familiarity with our coaching style, our system, or the way we do things, I have been incredibly impressed with the way he’s embraced it, looks forward to it, really wants to be coached, wants to be great, wants to improve and is a great example for a lot of our younger players.
“I feel very comfortable coaching him, whether it is practice, meetings, games, walkthroughs because he is such a great listener and he takes nothing personal, which, really, there’s no part of coaching that is personal. It’s just about trying to correct and improve. He’s really done a nice job.”
Newton — who many worried would not fit the Patriots’ scheme — has had to adapt to a completely new system for the first time in his career in a COVID-19-shortened offseason. He is tasked with filling the void left by Brady, who had been with the team for 20 seasons and led them to six Super Bowl titles.
Meanwhile, McDaniels, 44, has had to revamp the Patriots’ offense that was curated to Brady’s strengths as a passer. Newton — who stands at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds — is highly athletic and a dual threat on the ground and through the air, but is much less of a traditional pocket passer than his predecessor. This means adding more designed runs and option plays for the mobile, 2010 Heisman Trophy winner to deploy, though McDaniels notes that the offense isn’t completely new.
“[There is] certainly a huge chunk of what we’ve been able to try and do in the past that we continue to try and do,” he said. “I have really enjoyed the process with him because he prepares so hard. We run a lot of plays that have nothing to do with deception or tricking the defense or anything like that. It’s just fundamentals and execution. Cam is adamant about wanting to do his job really well in those areas just as he is if I asked him to run the ball, or throw it deep, or do something else. You try to maximize their strengths each week, and at the same time, we’re not done learning.”
Newton has recorded 62 completions on 91 attempts for 714 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, as well as 149 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 35 attempts through three games.
Injuries have marred Newton’s career and he was eventually cut this offseason after nine seasons with the Panthers to make way for Teddy Bridgewater, whom Carolina signed in free agency.
The 31-year-old went unsigned for months before the Patriots scooped him up on a veteran minimum deal. The one-year contract does come with a number of incentives worth up to $7.5 million.
“I look forward to every day I get to coach him and he obviously reciprocates that with his effort and the time he spends trying to prepare himself for the game,” McDaniels said.
Newton’s next test will be against the 3-0 Chiefs at Arrowhead this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.