The New England Patriots have opened preseason camp with Cam Newton among the quarterbacks competing for the starting job in the post-Tom Brady era. Patriots coach Bill Belichick recently met with the media and was asked about the club’s decision to sign Newton on an incentive-based deal.

“Well, things worked out,” Belichick said. “We spent quite a bit of time with Cam, and he spent quite a bit of time with us. I think there was some mutual interest, and we went and spent quite a bit of (time) with a number of different people and a number of different conversations, and just tried to see how the fit would be. It was very positive on our end, and I’m glad it worked out.”

Since the June signing, many fans and media members have openly pondered how Newton will fit in with Belichick. While Belichick didn’t go into great detail, it sounds like he believes the two can work together as quarterback and coach. Two people who know Newton well, his former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik and former Carolina Panthers teammate Greg Olsen, have publicly stated they believe Newton won’t have any problem adapting to the “Patriot Way.”

Newton was released by Carolina on March 24 after 9 seasons as the team’s quarterback. The former No. 1 draft pick out of Auburn is a three-time Pro Bowler (2011, ’13, ’15) and was named the NFL MVP in 2015, the season he led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance. In his NFL career, Newton has thrown for 29,041 yards with a 59.6 completion percentage and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 182-108. He has also rushed for 4,806 yards and 58 touchdowns.