FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots quarterback, Cam Newton, acknowledged that he did not have the 2020 season he expected, but did not go so far as to say he would accept a reserve role when considering free agent options in this off season.
“Honestly, it is too early to say. This is as honest as I can be,” Newton said on Monday in his weekly interview with WEEI sports radio in Boston. “Do I think I have initial talent? Certainly. I think a lot of the things I’ve done have been undervalued? Not the team’s perspective, probably the media’s perspective – absolutely.”
Newton, 31, added that he understands that defenders are too scrutinized and that it is not a job for the “weak” before saying, “I really need some time to really reevaluate this whole situation.”
Newton saved one of his best performances in the final game of the Patriots’ 7-9 season. In Sunday’s 28-14 victory over the New York Jets, he made 21 from 30 to 242 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran for 79 yards on 11 loads – which included a record 49 yard run for the quarterback franchise – and added a 19-yard touchdown reception.
“I know 32 guys, I’m not in position 32. So you also have to understand, I’m a competitor first. I know what my skill set is, I know what my talent is. I understand that if given the opportunity, there is no one better than me. This is how I will always feel. I also have to be realistic about the opportunity that presents itself, “said Newton in a radio interview.
“If you’re asking me, do I want to be a backup? Of course not! When I look at other teams, and I’m looking at other players playing, there have been guys who have been escaping homicide for years because of subpar game. Do I have the right to say that in relation to the year I had this year? No. But I will be honest and say why that is what I do. “
Newton ended the year with 242 of 368 passes (65.8%) for 2,657 yards, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 592 run yards on 137 loads (average 4.3), with 12 touchdowns.
As for his possible return to New England in 2021, Newton said he had not yet spoken to coach Bill Belichick, although he seemed resigned in his videoconference last week that he would be moving forward, referring to plans to keep in touch with fellow team in the future. He said Monday morning that it would be “remarkable” if Belichick decided that he wanted him to come back.
Newton previously shared that one of his biggest regrets was joining the Patriots after last season, which will be on his mind when he approaches the free agency.
“This will definitely be taken into account,” he said on WEEI. “I am not going to wait until the end of another season when I have the opportunity to do something or sign with someone. I think I put myself at a disadvantage [with] This one. You just live and learn. “
Newton said that one of his main goals was to spend the season healthy, which he achieved.
“For all these reasons, my shoulder was sustained, my foot was sustained, my mind was sustained,” he said. “I have had cuts and bruises, but who doesn’t have cuts and bruises in the NFL? Nothing persistent enough to stop me. I will consider it a blessing and do it in the off season.”
Newton added that this is the first off-season in five or six years that he is healthy.
“Obviously, I have to work on my mechanics. I obviously have to throw the football earlier, and not at the end of last year,” he said. “I will focus on these things as we prepare for the off season.”