Cam excited to be back with Panthers: 'I'm still floating'

Cam Newton feels like he's on cloud nine after returning to the Carolina Panthers.

"Honestly, I'm still floating," Newton said Friday. "I feel like I'm going to say this a lot, (but) it's not about me. It's about being an additional piece to this team and that's how I plan on keeping it."

Newton spent the first nine years of his career with the Panthers after they drafted him first overall in 2011. The veteran put together a 68-55-1 record in Carolina and guided the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance during his MVP year in 2015. The Panthers moved on from Newton after his injury-riddled 2019 campaign. He spent last season with the New England Patriots.

Despite Newton and Carolina's past success together, he says the sole purpose of the reunion is to win football games.

"This ain't for no ploy, this ain't for no ticket sales, this ain't for no Cinderella story," Newton explained. "It's to win football games. That's pretty much what's on my heart and that's how I'm going about it."

Head coach Matt Rhule said earlier Friday that Newton is unlikely to suit up for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals as he gets up to speed, according to David Newton of ESPN. The 32-year-old, who signed a reported one-year deal worth up to $10 million, is set to eventually take the reins on a 4-5 Panthers team that sits a half-game out of the final NFC wild-card spot.

"I'm so excited to be back in Carolina and to be playing meaningful games," Newton noted.

He added: "This second go-around, there's so much to be grateful for. The preparation is going to be extremely key, being that I'm so far behind."

Newton threw 10 interceptions to eight touchdowns last season with the Patriots, though he also added 12 scores with his legs. New England released Newton prior to the 2021 campaign. He remained a free agent until he signed in Carolina.

"I feel like I'm home. I know I'm home," Newton said. "A person said to me yesterday: 'Happy to see you, Cam. Glad you came back to us.' And I'm like, 'Man, I'm glad y'all came after me.'"