FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton acknowledged he didn’t have the 2020 season he was expecting, but stopped saying he would accept a supporting role as he considers free agent options this offseason.
“Honestly, it’s too early to tell. That’s as honest as I can be,” Newton said Monday in his weekly interview on Boston’s WEEI sports radio. “I think I have initial talent? Absolutely. I think a lot of things I’ve done have been devalued? It’s not absolutely the team’s perspective, probably the media’s.”
Newton, 31, added that he understands quarterbacks are heavily scrutinized and that it is not a job for the “weak” before saying, “I really need some time to re-evaluate this whole situation.”
Newton saved one of his best performances for the Patriots ’7-9 season finale. In Sunday’s 28-14 win over the New York Jets, he hit 21 of 30 for 242 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran for 79 yards in 11 runs, which included a quarterback franchise with a record 49 yards, and added a 19-yard touchdown catch.
“I know 32 guys, I’m not from the 32-position position. So you have to understand, first I’m a competitor. I know what my ability is, I know what my talent is. I understand that if given the opportunity, no there is no one better than me. That’s how I will always feel. I also have to feel realistic about the opportunity that presents itself as well, “Newton said in the radio interview.
“If you ask me, do I want to be a backup? Wow, no! When I look at other teams and see the game of other players, there have been guys who have been running away from murder for years because I have a right to say “With the year I had this year? No. But I’ll be honest and I’ll say it because that’s what I do.”
Newton finished the year 242 out of 368 passing (65.8%) for 2,657 yards, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 592 running yards in 137 runs (4.3 on average), with 12 touchdowns.
As for his possible return to New England in 2021, Newton said he has not yet spoken to coach Bill Belichick, although last week he appeared to have given up his video conference because he would continue to refer to plans to keep the contact with future colleagues. He said Monday morning it would be “remarkable” if Belichick decided he wanted her back.
Newton previously shared that one of his main regrets was joining the Patriots after last offseason, something he will consider when approaching free agency.
“This will definitely be taken into account,” he told WEEI. “I won’t wait until the last part of another season when I have a chance to do something or sign with someone. I think I’m at a disadvantage. [with] that. Just live and learn. “
Newton said one of his main goals was to make the season healthy, which he achieved.
“Through it all, my shoulder was raised, my foot raised, my mind raised,” he said. “I had injuries and bruises, but who doesn’t have them in the NFL? There’s nothing enough to stop me. I’m going to take this as a blessing and I’ll do it in low season.”
Newton added that this is the first low season in five or six years that he has been healthy.
“Obviously, I have to work on my mechanics. Obviously, I have to throw football before the latter part of last year,” he said. “In these things, I will focus as we prepare for the off-season.”