Cam Newton reiterated his belief that off-field factors have prevented him from landing another NFL contract.

"I scare people," he said on The Big Tigger Morning Show on Audacy's V-103. "Because you can't control me. I'm not a puppet. I cut them strings off a long time ago.

"If that would've been the case, they would've told me without telling me to. If that would've been the case, they would've told me without telling me to 'cut your dreads.' They would've told me without telling me to just 'be a little quiet.' They would've told me without telling me, 'Why you making it about you — how you dress?' But as some of us know in this space, I dress like this every day. This ain't a facade. This ain't a front. This is me."

Newton told CBS Sports' Josina Anderson in May he thought his dreadlocks and unique fashion sense were adversely impacting his odds of returning to the league.

ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin presented a different explanation when discussing the 2015 MVP in March on Get Up. She reported people in the league "were not particularly impressed" when he worked out Auburn's pro day.

Martin also reported Newton "made it clear he wants to be a starter," which wasn't the role prospective suitors envisioned for him.

While arguing there aren't 32 quarterbacks better than him, Newton said on his YouTube channel in April he'd be willing to accept a backup role.

The three-time Pro Bowler said in a November appearance on The Dan Patrick Show it had been two years since an NFL team had reached out to him. He said he had declined to be more proactive because he sensed it would be a futile effort.

If you were to run down the list of quarterbacks currently signed to NFL teams, a few situations jump out where Newton would seemingly be an upgrade. Is he worse than Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Cooper Rush, Josh Johnson or Sam Ehlinger to name a few?

The trouble for Newton is that there probably isn't a high opportunity cost in not signing him anymore.

The 34-year-old had a forgettable 2020 campaign with the New England Patriots, throwing for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He had 592 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, but his 4.3 yards per carry were his second-lowest over a full regular season.

His reunion with the Carolina Panthers the following year quickly took a turn as well. In his first game back, he accounted for two touchdowns in just nine offensive snaps, earning his way to the starting role. In his second start, however, he went 5-of-21 for 92 yards and two touchdowns and was benched in the fourth quarter.

Newton in his prime was a force of nature. He almost single-handedly lifted the Panthers to an NFC title in 2015.

Newton paid a price for the 291 sacks and 934 carries he had during his first run with Carolina, though. He once cited a 2016 shoulder injury as an issue that dogged him across multiple seasons, and undergoing surgery in 2019 didn't appear to make a big difference in terms of his performance.

If two-plus years have really passed since Newton got any meaningful contact from an NFL team, the ship has probably sailed on him stepping onto the field again.