The veteran safety took time out of his practice schedule to discuss his signing with the Panthers and expectations for the 2023 season.

Q: You made the decision to come here in free agency and join the Carolina Panthers, why this team?

A: Special unit. Especially the group of young guys, D-line and a lot of the back end. A lot of special attributes on that end and the coaching staff too.

Q: You’re part of a new era of the Carolina Panthers. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of buzz. How are you guys channeling that energy and that buzz that everyone’s talking about? 

A: Just blocking it out. We got that 0-0 mindset coming in and just resetting and going out there trying to be 1-0 after practice. We are always just trying to build within, inside the unit, inside the building and going out there and challenging one another.

Q: A big topic yesterday and on move-in day was expectation. What is this team’s expectation for itself?

A: We’re out here working, challenging one another, competing, and just trying to get better and finding that 1% every day, and just being accountable to one another. Being a loving teammate and being a caring teammate and being able to have those tough conversations, hard conversations and good conversations. It’s a family environment and we’re all in this together.

Q: The NFC South is up for grabs again this year. Knowing that you’re in a division where it’s attainable, you guys can win it and get back in the playoffs for the first time in 5 years, what’s the mindset?

A: Just playing complimentary football and just doing your job. You don’t gotta be Superman, you don’t gotta be a superhero. Everybody’s talented, everybody’s gifted enough to be on this field and have an opportunity to play so just going to play for one another and be selfless.