Bill Belichick has made his quarterback decision, and it will lead to one of the competitors being released. Mac Jones is set to start in Week 1 for the Patriots, according to the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. The Pats, in turn, are releasing Cam Newton.
This move will cost the team $3.5MM in dead money, though offset language will allow New England to collect up to $1.5MM if Newton signs elsewhere. The Patriots did not try to trade Newton before cutting him, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio (on Twitter).
The Patriots continued to declare Newton their starter throughout the offseason and into the preseason. Newton took first-team reps for the bulk of training camp, but a five-day period away from the team — due to a COVID-19 issue that did not involve a positive test — allowed Jones extra work. The first-round pick capitalized and has fared well in his first NFL offseason.
This decision will allow Newton to catch on elsewhere, rather than sticking as a backup. While it is unclear if the former MVP will re-emerge as a full-time NFL starter, given his struggles as a passer in recent years, the Pats will not retain him to play behind Jones. They will make this move despite re-signing Newton and guaranteeing him moderate cash this offseason. Veteran backup Brian Hoyer still resides on New England’s roster and will be in line to mentor the Alabama-developed rookie.
Newton, 32, will end up being the stopgap between Tom Brady and Jones. The longtime Panther QB1 did not initially sign with the Patriots until late June of 2020, and he ended last season with just eight touchdown passes in 15 starts. The former No. 1 overall pick tested positive for COVID-19 last year and missed a start but logged his most games since the 2017 season. After injuries cut his 2018 and ’19 seasons short, Newton showed he could stay healthy. He will now look for a third NFL employer.
Jones overtaking Newton will set up an intriguing Week 1 matchup in which Jones will face the Dolphins and previous Alabama starter (Tua Tagovailoa). The less mobile Jones took over after Tagovailoa’s severe hip injury late in the 2019 season and dominated for the national championship-winning 2020 Crimson Tide squad. Jones completed 77% of his passes and finished with a 41-to-4 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio.
Linked to the 49ers for weeks at No. 3 overall, Jones fell to 15th. The Patriots did not need to trade up to land their new starter, separating them from many teams who took first-round QBs in recent years. And Jones did enough to join Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson as Week 1 starters from the 2021 QB class.
Belichick is on a mission to show that Tom Brady was a system quarterback.
Well Brady already won a Super Bowl in his first season on a different team, so he’s already disproved that. Belichick’s goal is to just prove he can win without Brady.
If it wasn’t the best roster in football whose biggest need was quarterback, you may have a point. That team went 7-9 the previous year with Jamie’s throwing 30 picks.
Yes, one of the greatest champions in team sports history was a system player.
he was a system player. but nobody seems to get that it was his system.
Too bad it took you 12 months to post that… seeing as that notion was obviously disproven last Feb. #duh
Wait a minute. WHAT?
Lol. Nice 6 win season coming up.
You’re right. They should have kept Cam. We would have won the super bowl and went undefeated.
If you actually think Mac will do worse than a horrible, washed up QB then you are a bigger idiot than you already look like
Bill to Mac: “You’re the man now dog!”
This means they’re looking at another QB since 3 are needed with the Covid crap
Hoyer and Stidham on the roster
Well, Nick Mullens and perhaps
Josh Rosen are available, lol
nah Rosen is Atlanta’s backup. However, Ben DiNucci was just released
Trade for Joe Flacco…
Von Miller and my Broncos broke Cam in the Super Bowl and he ain’t been the same since.
Neither have the Broncos
BURN!
YES!!
WHAT?? LOL Guess Bill didn’t like his hat and scarf combos.
Jones fits the offensive system and McDaniels play calling. It’s why they drafted him. Newton was exposed years ago as a “Look at me” QB rather than a player and leader on and off the field. I live in Charlotte and saw Newton first hand. If it weren’t for Richardson keeping him under control Newton would have crashed and burned LONG before this.
To be clear….I’m not a NE fan in the slightest but this is the better move going forward.
Was he exposed before or after he was MVP?
You mean arguably his only good season? Cam has been mediocre at best his entire career sans ’15
Cam: Spirit has flights to Houston, right?
I think this is a big boost for the New England skill players. And definitely a long-term win for the patriots organization.
I can definitely see a handful of teams he may be able to start for, but I think he’s best suited for a back up role at this point in his career. The Cowboys seem like a great place for him to go and back up Dak.
I think the point is he doesn’t want to be a backup now. He’ll have to come to terms with that sooner or later if he wants to keep playing.
Dak may not be able to play more than half the games this year. Newton would be a great addition to the Cowboys roster at this point as Dak/Newton are similar style QB’s (big guys who can run when they want to). Dak is the better passer but Newton is good enough when healthy.
They are exactly the same except Zak can throw/read defence/check down/QB stuff and Cam simply cannot. Actually they are completely different.
Potential trade destination for Nick Foles? Also, maybe Cam would be a fit with the Cowboys as a backup for Dak.
Great move here in New England!
Cam is done as a starter in the NFL. Has been since 2019. Injuries caught up to him.
Mac needs to reduce his sacks. He was holding onto ball too long when he needed to throw it away. He was getting beaten up with sacks.
Peyton Manning once said that sometimes a punt is a good play.
You realize that 4 sack game against the Giants was when the Giants still played their starters while Mac had the backup oline, right
DaNg CaM’s FaLl HaS bEeN qUiCk.
EnJoYeD wAtChInG hIm In HiS pRiMe.
Please don’t ever type like that again. Sincerely, Everybody
It was a joke
That’s how Cam types on social media
Tom Brady definitely the reason they won Super Bowls
“The Patriots‘ quarterback battle will tilt toward Mac Jones this week, by default. Cam Newton will not be permitted to practice with the team until Thursday. A COVID-19 issue will force the veteran quarterback to work virtually, according to the Patriots, who have called this a misunderstanding that stemmed from Newton traveling to a team-approved medical appointment outside Foxborough. Newton has not tested positive for the coronavirus, per the team, but an issue with his testing cadence caused this hiccup. Like Kirk Cousins and Lamar Jackson this month, Newton’s unvaccinated status has complicated matters for his team.”
“forwhomjoshbelltolled • 7 days ago
Kind of a dumb way to fumble your career into the waiting hands of your rookie successor.”
Nothing further.
Congratulations?
Not a victory lap, just pointing out that everyone (with one notable exception) could see the obvious.
Cam didn’t think he could be replaced (let alone that he was likely to be replaced) and didn’t take every step to prevent it.
Decent chance that hubris ends his career, since no one thinks he can be a loyal backup.
Glad that Newton is gone. I was always annoyed watching him last year. Good luck, Mac.
Love the few Newton fanboys still remaining, all thinking “he still has it!”
I guess that is Bill’s way of saying enough of the silliness Cam. Not the place to be if you are a complete clown. Cam needs to realize when you no longer have talent teams don’t put up with the nonsense
Well who is the cowboys back up quarterback..you know dak not lasting all season long .
Remember last year when everyone was bragging about how great Newton and Belichick were and writing off Brady??! Too funny….
Oh so I do .and I hate them all . But I hate bill the most so it was good tom won with out the old man
Patriots will never win another SB –
“Brady Curse”!
That’s ok, they’ve won enough titles they’re good through the end of this sport as we know.
No one watch cam shows any more any ways
QB Watson to Patriots.
He and Kraft can compare notes on massages.
Has Cam been told that PFR is hiring?
Can’t say I am shedding a tear.
Maybe Cam got released for being a distraction to his team…because they couldn’t stop laughing at that ridiculous thing he calls a hairdo. Is he going for a cactus look, or trying to look like a Giraffe? I guess he has a right to wear it whichever way he thinks makes him look “cool”, but I also have the right to express that I think he looks like a complete idiot. Nice picture with the hair coming up through the top of the hat, Cam. What a fool LOL
Maybe Cam got released for being a distraction to his team…because they couldn’t stop laughing at that ridiculous thing he calls a hairdo. Is he going for a cactus look, or trying to look like a Giraffe? I guess he has a right to wear it whichever way he thinks makes him look “cool”, but I also have the right to express that I think he looks like a complete idiot. Nice picture with the hair coming up through the top of the hat, Cam. Maybe try spending some more time working on your passing skills rather than wasting it all trying to look like some sort of a plant. What a fool LOL