Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has insisted that he is "not worried" about entering contract discussions at this point in time.
Newton is now eligible for an extension to his four-year deal, while the Panthers also have the chance to exercise a fifth-year option on his current contract.
The 24-year-old is regarded as a franchise quarterback for the Panthers, but he has stressed that he is not interested in pressuring the team into a new contract like Arizona Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson is reportedly considering doing.
"I think our positions are completely different. Being the leader of this team, I don't think that would be a good look for me," Newton told the Dan Patrick Show.
"Not taking anything away from Patrick - he's an unbelievable player and an elite corner in the league - but there's some things cornerbacks can do that quarterbacks can't.
"I'm not worried about contract discussions right now. My main focus is just becoming the better player I can become."
Newton's 2014 cap number ranked 19th among NFL quarterbacks and is just the fifth highest on the Panthers roster.
Barney Corkhill
