Cam Newton thinks he’s better than at least some of the starting quarterbacks in the NFL, but he’s not adverse to coming aboard as a backup QB in the league.

“This is how I feel,” Newton said on his YouTube channel on Wednesday night. “There ain’t 32 guys that’s better than me. But I also know that I could also be a backup, and I’m willing to be a backup.”

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The former Auburn All-American didn’t leave NFL general managers guessing either. He listed nine current quarterbacks that he’d be willing to back up, as well as three incoming rookies that he’d like to work with.

“There’s a narrative out there that says Cam doesn’t want to be a backup,” Newton said. “I never said I didn’t want to be a backup, so I’m going to take this time to explain who and what situation I would want to be a backup to and for.”

Four of the quarterbacks played in the seven-on-seven youth program sponsored by Newton – the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson, Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields, Tennessee Titans’ Malik Willis and Washington Commanders’ Sam Howell. (Willis, also a former Auburn quarterback, is not a starter, but the backup to Ryan Tannehill.)

Newton also listed the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers, who remains on the Green Bay Packers but is in the process of being traded to the New York Jets.

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Newton said he’d also be eager to work with three quarterbacks considered among the best available in this year’s NFL Draft – Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young and Florida’s Anthony Richardson.

“There’s three rookie quarterbacks I would love or enjoy to groom,” Newton said. “And what I mean by that is, there’s a lot that goes into the most important position in all the sports.”

In making the list, Newton said he asked: “Who would be some guys I could serve?”

Newton’s list wasn’t made considering current backup quarterbacks.

“Some of those guys may already have penciled-in backups that the franchise is probably OK with, and that’s fine,” Newton said. “I’m just voicing my opinion and just getting the narrative out. And I didn’t kind of want nobody to assume or live in this false bravado like, ‘Yeah, right, Cam. Hang it up. Your heyday is over with.’

“The truth of the matter is, yes, I am 33, soon to be 34, and I do believe that I have a talent that not a lot of people have. But on another front, there’s so much that I can provide that somebody provided for me in my overall growth.”

Newton won the Heisman Trophy in 2010, when Auburn captured the BCS national championship to cap an unbeaten season.

The first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Newton helped the Carolina Panthers win six NFC South titles over the next nine seasons while becoming the franchise’s all-time passing leader, setting the league record for touchdowns scored by a quarterback and winning the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

But Newton hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since Dec. 26, 2021, wasn’t on a team during the 2022 season and remains out of the NFL.

Newton stepped back into the public eye on March 21, when he threw to receivers at Auburn’s pro day.

Newton said he knew what a good backup QB in the NFL does because he had two while with the Panthers.

“I had two perfect examples of what that supporting cast is supposed to be,” Newton said. “I had Derek Anderson and (former Wenonah High School and UAB star) Joe Webb. Those two individuals were the perfect examples of selflessness and just ultimate team players.”

Newton elaborated on what he could provide.

“As a backup, I know I can bring experience to serve in ways that most people haven’t even experienced,” Newton said. “They may not have even had the exposure I’ve had. You’re talking about a young star whose world would be a whirlwind at times. Learning how to ground that person, and I think anybody who is great at something will need that. I didn’t even think I needed it until I had it and didn’t have it and knew the difference in it. Learning when you’re frustrated, having someone to have the voice of reason, saying, ‘No, bro. We need you. Come on, come on. It don’t look good. Guys are depending on you,’ to ‘Man, I don’t feel like practicing today.’ ‘Nah, nah, nah. You can’t do that. Come on, bro. You want to be a Pro Bowler, you want to be an All-Pro, you want to be MVP, these are the things you got to do. You got to work when there ain’t nobody else working.’

“Those type of whispers in your ear constantly as a young player is very pivotal.”

Newton understands his personality might be working against him when NFL decision-makers are considering backup quarterbacks.

“People are going to ask themselves in their front office: Can Cam’s ego support somebody else?” Newton said. “And make no mistake about it: I’ve never had an issue with being a force that was detrimental to a team. …

“I want to win. That’s the only reason I play this game. It’s not for individual accolades.”

Of course, if there’s an NFL team that’s unsettled at starting quarterback, Newton is looking forward to hearing from it.

“Why am I seeing other quarterbacks get attention or get jobs and my phone ain’t rang yet?” Newton said. “… As a starter, there’s no doubt in my mind that I could bring a culture of winning, a culture, from the business side, who could sell tickets.

“I look at a situation where it’s like: What does a Cam Newton in Atlanta look like? And it’s hard not to think what it could be.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.