Former Auburn All-American and 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton hasn’t played in a game since Jan. 9, 2022. But the quarterback has spoken about returning to the NFL several times in the intervening two years even while establishing a media presence.

Newton has maintained “there’s not 32 guys better than me.” After throwing at Auburn’s pro day last year, Newton said he was “waiting on my opportunity – the right opportunity.” He also listed nine quarterbacks he’d be willing to back up and three rookie QBs he’d like to mentor as a teammate. And in November, Newton said he had “a lot of interest” in returning to football, but he had not gotten a call from an NFL team about playing in two years.

During an appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Tuesday, Newton said if he returned to the NFL now, it would be for only one team.

“Me having a family now, it’s always been about family,” Newton said, “and I don’t see myself leaving Atlanta. If it’s not Atlanta, I don’t want to do it. … It’s one of them situations. It’s like, man, I’ve really turned into a YouTuber slash full-time dad.”

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The Atlanta Falcons started two quarterbacks on their way to a 7-10 showing in 2023. Desmond Ridder completed 249-of-388 passes for 2,836 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and ran for 193 yards and five touchdowns on 53 carries this season. Taylor Heinicke, who started four games, completed 74-of-136 passes for 890 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 124 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.

Both quarterbacks are under contract for the 2024 season.

The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith after the season. Atlanta has a 7-10 record in each of its three seasons under Smith.

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