The New England Patriots have reportedly come to terms with the release of veteran quarterback Cam Newton. Mac Jones is now reportedly the new starting quarterback in New England via Ian Rapoport. This information comes as a surprise even on a day when many veteran cuts are expected.
A new QB in New England. https://t.co/wGSRj3yXd8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021
Cam Newton Released From New England Patriots
Cam Newton and Mac Jones have been in a very publicized quarterback battle over the entirety of the preseason. Up until today, the common belief was that Newton would be the starter to open the season. Most believe that Jones would eventually supplant Newton as the season drew on. However, Jones is now set to be the unchallenged starter for opening week.
Due to Newton’s minimal dead-money cap hit, there is a possibility of him returning to New England. The Patriots may attempt to bring him back for a veteran minimum-type deal if no other teams show interest. It is also possible that this will be the last we see of Newton. It is unlikely that any other team brings him in to compete as a starter. Those days now seem long gone.
During the 2020 NFL season, Newton started and appeared in 15 games. During those contests, he recorded 2657 yards passing, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns. Newton had a 7-8 record as a starter during his one season in New England.
A hot start to last season quickly faded after a stint on the COVID-19 list. Newton never appeared to fully recover from the virus and was seemingly a shell of himself the rest of the season. To make matters worse, a recent misunderstanding with the COVID-19 protocols caused him to miss another five days of practice time. Add in Jones’s stellar performance during the preseason, and it seems like a no-brainer decision for the Patriots.
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