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FOXBOROUGH, Mass .– New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton admitted he didn’t have the 2020 season he was hoping for, but stopped before saying he would accept a replacement role as he considered free agent options this offseason.
“Honestly, it’s too early to tell. It’s as honest as it gets,” Newton said Monday in his weekly WEEI Sports Radio interview in Boston. “Do I think I have a starting talent? Absolutely. Do I think a lot of the things I have done have been devalued? Not the team’s point of view, probably the point of view. of media view – absolutely. “
Newton, 31, added that he understands that quarterbacks are very scrutinized and that it’s not a job for the ‘weak’ before saying, ‘I just really need time for myself to really re-evaluate everything. this situation.”
Newton saved one of his best performances for the Patriots’ final season 7-9 game. In Sunday’s 28-14 win over the New York Jets, he finished 21 of 30 for 242 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He rushed for 79 yards on 11 carries – which included a quarterback record 49-yard rush – and added a 19-yard touchdown.
“I know out of 32 guys, I’m not 32nd. So you also have to understand, I’m a competitor first. I know my skills, 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 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 replacement? Damn no! When I watch other teams, and I watch other players play, there are guys who get away with murders for years because of Am I allowed to say that with the year I had this year? No. But I’m going to be honest and say it because that’s what I do . “
Newton finished the year with 242 of 368 (65.8%) passes for 2,657 yards, with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 592 rushing yards on 137 carries (4.3 on average), with 12 touchdowns.
As for his possible return to New England in 2021, Newton said he has yet to speak to coach Bill Belichick, although he appeared to resign during his videoconference last week, indicating that he was going to move on, referring to plans to keep in touch with his teammates in the future. He said Monday morning that it would be “remarkable” if Belichick decided he wanted him to return.
Newton had previously shared that one of his main regrets was joining the Patriots after the last offseason, which will stay in his mind as free will approaches.
“This will definitely be taken into consideration,” he told WEEI. “I’m not going to wait until the last part of another season when I get a chance to do something or sign with someone. I think I’ve put myself at a disadvantage. [with] this. You live and learn. “
Newton said one of his main goals is to have a healthy season, which he has accomplished.
“Through it all, my shoulder lifted, foot lifted, mind supported,” he said. “I’ve had nicks and bruises, but who doesn’t have nicks and bruises in the NFL? Nothing lasts enough to stop me. I’ll take this as a blessing and do it during the off-season. “
Newton added that this was the first offseason in five or six years that he was in good health.
“I obviously have to work on my mechanics. I obviously have to throw the ball earlier than in the latter part of last year,” he said. “These things that I’m going to focus on as we prepare for the offseason.”
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