Newton not ready to retire: 'My pride won't allow me to do it'

Cam Newton believes he's still a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.

Despite a disappointing 2020 season with the New England Patriots, Newton isn't considering retirement.

"Hell no! I can't go out like that," Newton said on an episode of the "I Am Athlete" podcast, which will air Monday, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. "I hear all of that talk. My pride won't allow me to do it."

In his first season in a Patriots uniform, Newton threw for eight touchdowns against 10 interceptions and New England finished with its first losing season since 2000. The 32-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent in March and may find it difficult to land another starting job.

"There aren't 32 guys better than me," Newton declared.

Newton admitted he had little choice but to accept the Patriots' one-year, $1.75-million contract in his last go-around in free agency.

"Let's keep it honest, what other options did I have?" he said. "I intimidate a lot of people. I intimidated the franchise I was at (the Carolina Panthers). People look at me and assume things about me. But I'm from Atlanta, you put me anywhere, and I'm going to figure it out."