Legendary QB Tom Brady is no longer a New England Patriot, but the team brought in a former MVP this offseason in ex-Auburn superstar Cam Newton.

The 2015 NFL MVP will compete with another former Auburn standout — Jarrett Stidham — for the starting job in New England this fall.

Meeting with reporters this week, Newton explained just how excited he is to be part of the team (via AL.com):

“Nobody really knows how excited I really am just to be a part of this organization in many ways than one,” Newton said. “Just following up such a powerful dynasty that is enriched in so much prestige and lineage of success that for me a lot of people would hide from the notion to do certain things, but for me I think this opportunity is something that I wake up pinching myself each and every day, and it’s so surreal coming down 1 Patriot Place each and every day and seeing the whole ambience. …

“It’s crazy. I just found myself putting on shirts, and it’s like, ‘Oh, my God.’ I don’t know when that moment’s going to be, but I’m going to keep doing what I’m supposed to do while I’m a member of the Patriots so that sooner or later it will click that this is the norm.”

Will Newton win the starting job? That remains to be seen, but many analysts give him the edge over Stidham.