Cam Newton admits he was learning the Patriots’ offense on the fly.
In an interview on ESPN’s The Pivot Podcast with ex-athletes Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, Newton said he didn’t put himself in a position to succeed with the Patriots.
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New England signed Newton at the end of June 2020. There was a condensed training camp and no preseason schedule due to the NFL’s Covid restrictions.
“The New England experience was a f—ed-up situation,” Newton said. “I was still learning the offense seven to eight weeks into the season.
“It was times I was going to the line and I’m still thinking. … ‘Did I know it?’ Yes. To the degree that I needed to know it to show the world that I’m still Cam Newton? No.”
Newton’s revelation backs up reports that he struggled with the playbook in New England. Rob Ninkovich said on WEEI that Mac Jones was helping Newton with plays last summer.
Newton dismissed the speculation in a YouTube video addressing his Patriots release.
Still a free agent, Newton said his second go-around with the Panthers wasn’t a good situation, either.
“So before I sit up here and allow the narrative to be made that Cam ain’t got it no more, Cam is taking full responsibility and saying Cam put himself in a f—ed-up situation,” he said.
The Patriots went 7-8 with Newton under center, while the Panthers went 0-5 last season. Newton, a former MVP, has thrown 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over the last previous two years.
Still, the 33-year-old thinks he’s deserving of an NFL opportunity.
“There’s not 32 guys better than me,” he said. “If you think I couldn’t be on somebody’s team right now, you’re a damn fool.”
Newton isn’t helping himself in the employability category. In addition to lousy on-field performances, he’s recently spouted some ridiculously sexist comments.
The QB-desperate Panthers are the only team reportedly interested in Newton’s services.