QB Cam Newton says he put himself in tough situations with the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton still believes he's one of the 32 best quarterbacks in the NFL and that the current perception people have of him comes from putting himself in a «f----- up'' situation with the Carolina Panthers last season.

»I signed on Thursday. I played on Sunday,'' the 2015 NFL MVP said on «The Pivot Podcast'' hosted by ESPN's Ryan Clark and fellow former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor. „At what point did you think did you think you was going to be successful? The next week, I started. That's still under 10 days of you being on the team. And you're still trying to learn the offense.

“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----- up situation, which then had a ricochet effect to people thinking [how they think of me].''

Newton, 33, is a free agent. He spent the final eight games with the Panthers last season after being signed in November when starter Sam Darnold was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Four days later, in a backup role, Newton scored on his first two plays — a 2-yard run and a 2-yard pass — to help the Panthers to an upset win at Arizona.

He started the next five games, going 0-5 with three touchdown passes and five interceptions. He also had four rushing touchdowns.

The Panthers did not re-sign him after the season, but kept the door open for a possible return to compete with Darnold, third-round pick Matt Corral and former XFL star P.J. Walker.

Newton, the first pick of the 2011 draft by the Panthers, still believes he can help whatever team gives him a chance. He said repeatedly on the podcast „there's not 32 guys better than me.''

“If you