For the first time in 11 years, an NFL season began without Cam Newton on a roster. His free agent status might not change soon, either.
No team has given serious consideration to adding Newton as a backup, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The 10-year veteran quarterback confirmed Friday he is not considering retirement, but it might take an injury to bring about a Newton re-emergence.
Newton, 32, said he was “absolutely” surprised the Patriots cut him but said the team would have made the same decision had he not been forced to spend five days away from New England’s facility due to what the organization called a COVID-19-related misunderstanding. Rather than give the higher-profile passer their backup gig, the Pats released Newton, who said Friday he would have agreed to stay on as Mac Jones‘ backup.
“If they would have asked me, ‘Cam, we’re going to give the team to Mac, you’re going to be second string; we expect you to be everything and some to guide him throughout this tenure,’ I would have said, ‘Absolutely,’” Newton said during a YouTube Live video, via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. “But listen, the truth of the matter is this: [Jones] would have been uncomfortable.
“… Mac Jones didn’t beat me out. But I would have been a distraction. If they would have gave him the starting role, they knew the perception that it would have had if the success didn’t come.”
Although Newton has never been an NFL backup, he struggled in 2020 and signed for backup-level money earlier this year. The former MVP ranked 29th in cumulative QBR from 2016-19 as well. The Cowboys and Washington said last week they were not interested in Newton, and no team has been linked to the former Pro Bowler yet.
Newton is also unvaccinated, providing another complication for any team interested in adding him as a backup. While NFL protocols for unvaccinated players meant a five-day period away from the Pats, Newton explained his side of the misunderstanding that thrust Jones into first-team practice work late last month. Newton’s out-of-town medical appointment was for a second opinion on the Lisfranc injury that ended his 2019 season and required surgery in December of that year.
“This had nothing to do with no vaccination. They gave me clearance to go. I’m owed a second opinion. This was the last time I felt that I was going to have an opportunity to get a second opinion,” Newton said of the foot issue. “Not to say the personnel with the Patriots wasn’t coherent to telling me everything I needed to know, but having four eyes on it is better than having two eyes on it, in my opinion. It wasn’t that I was having any issues or pain. I just wanted to do a checkup with the person who, in essence, diagnosed me with the Lisfranc. I felt obligated to kind of check back in with a six-month review.
“I crossed all the lines; I checked all the boxes; I dotted all my ‘I’s,’ and then to find out that I had to sit out, that’s when I kind of felt like bamboozled because ‘Y’all told me to go.’ It wasn’t like [the Patriots said], ‘Cam, you know if you go, you’re taking it on your risk.”
Regardless of how Newton’s Pats tenure wrapped, he has seen his stock drop considerably in recent years. The former Heisman winner is running out of time to get his career back on track. But in confirming retirement was not on the table, Newton will surely surface when quarterback injuries occur this season.
vax mandates r disparate discrimination
It does not surprise me that your English is awful.
That wasn’t necessary.
When people are being and saying stupid things then yes it is necessary
Necessary and accurate are different, it’s true.
There is a constant irony in the poor English of the “speak English” crowd, though, and it appears many have noticed this pattern.
You probably just don’t understand big words.
How so black, white, Asian. It doesn’t matter. If you are required to do so you are required to do so. No discrimination what so ever. You choose to not comply that is on you.
The problem is people like u are complying, any1 should have the option to say no to the vaccine. Its pretty much useless at this point anyway. Its just an experiment in the works and yall are the guinea pigs
“The problem is people like u are complying”…
By “complying” you mean you understand things, like living and don’t want to kill others, I assume.
You have the option to say no to the vaccine, you just have to accept when others tell you no as a result.
You want to do the former without accepting the latter. It doesn’t work that way.
You had a chance to get the Covid cure. You are too stupid to get it.
Covid cure?? LMAO #clueless
Vaccines inane membrane in Spain go insane in mi brain. Can’t u understand what I main? Dr Fauchi, Grownkowsi, garage or house key? Me no no?!?!?
Did I make more sense than ghostrobot?
Help Jones? The word was Newton in his second year in NE was being mentored on the playback by Jones? This is a Newton attempt on damage control. Newton has has limitations on playboys dating back to Carolina.
Oh I don’t think Cam has any limitations on playboys…
A couple of Newton’s throws during the pre-season were absolutely gag-worthy. A 10 year NFL veteran would only make a throw like that if he no longer had the physical ability to be an NFL player.
“… Mac Jones didn’t beat me out.”
He clearly did, but OK. Sure, you totally would have accepted being his backup when you can’t even admit he beat you out for the job.
And he’s wondering why no one picked him up. The man’s an “I” burger with “me” sauce.
When your washed up and your career is over but too blind to see it….
given even just getting a low end payday is better than what most people get in a year, i dont see why people complain about athletes wanting to get another payday.
nope…not complaining. try again. That was directed at his comment “Mac Jones didn’t beat me out”. Looks like he did and there is zero proof or substance that says otherwise.
Still wonder if his sexuality played a part in being cut. I hope not since this is 2021, but I do wonder.
Cam is a mediocre QB. That’s all that matters.
Mediocre? That’s being nice. He’s done, he sucks.
Say what, boss?
His sexuality most certainly played a role here.
Ridiculous.
Is “the inability to pass a football well” now a form of sexuality?
Well, if can’t fit his football through a tight window, it might be…
His sexuality didn’t seem to be an issue in 2020, nor did his stance on vaccination. I would suggest it is actually related to his previous Lisfranc injury, as you don’t go for a second opinion 2 years after having surgery unless it is still an issue.
Y’all, I am about 99% sure that jessaumodesto was kidding.
It would make sense for him to back up Tyrod Taylor in Houston. It’s a crap gig but a gig still and TT has been hurt a few times in the past.
Ooof. That was rough. I’ll admit I was wrong to assume that Cam had changed completely. I do still that he’s much, much better as a leader (mostly when it comes to specific quarterback-receiver dynamics and supporting his teammates), but his inability to admit that he was beat out-or, at the very least, not blaming it on his “aura” or whatever in God’s name that is-shows that, for as much as he may have matured, he still is unable to admit that he can fail and be surpassed by others.
I admit that I was wrong for assuming that he left this part behind him. That was just wrong of Cam, and quite frankly, stupid. I know he didn’t have any malice directed towards anyone and that confidence is important to every competitor, and that he was a good teammate who worked hard in a difficult situation, last year but real is real. If Cam can’t give respect to Jones for winning the job, he’s thrown away any progress he made or could have said he made since that Super Bowl loss years ago. I was disappointed in his comments, and I think it torpedoed the value he could have had in the league going forward.
Is Newton unsignable now? No, but now he has to wait for desperation as opposed to waiting for a reasonable opportunity. He did it to himself, and I am a little ashamed that I thought he had matured past this point.
I like Cam but Mac Jones is better right now and ready to go. Hope Cam can find a job though since he still wants to play. Honestly, if I knew he was fully healthy I’d prefer him starting on my favorite team in place of who the HC has chosen.
I’m not getting into whether people are for/against the vax, but pro athletes are employees, no matter their annual pay. And if your employer says to take the shot, get them. Wait until 1 team has to forfeit a game because a player or players aren’t vaccinated. Then you’ll see cuts.
Urban said it himself, certainly a player’s vax record played a part in cuts. How could any coach not consider that?
And when players miss games due to testing positive despite being vaccinated, then what?
Arty,
This is complete bull! Whether a player is vaccinated or not should not be relevant! There is a federal law called HIPPA! All employers must follow the law! Soon enough, the courts will be overflowing with cases of HIPPA violations and that time is just around the corner
Vaccination information is classed as PHI and is covered by the HIPAA Rules. However, HIPAA only applies to HIPAA-covered entities – healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses – and their business associates. If an employer asks an employee to provide proof that they have been vaccinated in order to allow that individual to work without wearing a facemask, that is not a HIPAA violation as HIPAA does not apply to most employers.
That’s not what HIPPA is. Most companies- unless they’re in the healthcare field- aren’t regulated by HIPPA. An employer is free to ask your vaccination status, but you’re under no obligation to tell them. However, choosing not to can have consequences.
Any player has a right not to be vaccinated, but realistically it’s going to come down to talent level to determine if a team deals with it or not. This isn’t a new thing in the NFL, as guys have been cut in the past for things not even requiring the potential forfeiture of games. It’s risk versus reward.
Requiring mandatory vaccinations was rule constitutional by SCOTUS in 1905. HIPPA only has to do with disclosure of medical record information. The right to protection against disclosure can be waived, for example, in collective bargaining. I am sure there are COVID protocols in place in the NFL, but I am not sure about the exact parameters of those protocols.
People keep quoting that 1905 ruling, but it’s not relevant here. The discussion is not whether or not the government can force vaccinations. As far as HIPAA goes, employers are allowed to ask for vaccination status. The employee or presumptive employee is NOT required to them. They can ask, but they can’t demand records.
Everyone needs to calm down and discuss this respectfully with each other, but no one ever will because people think that fighting is worth it for literally every single issue. They keep justifying it over and over until there’s never any issue they can actually discuss, and you just get constant fighting where everyone ignores any valid point the other may be making. It’s tiresome.
I read that in the event a game is canceled both teams lose pay no matter which team caused the game to be canceled
Kaepernick would’ve been a distraction too. Nothing more, nothing less.
Cam is one of the last guys I’d ever bring in to mentor a rookie. No thanks.
He’ll claim he’s the new Kapernick
You are
Who would want the distraction of Cam? Even in his MVP season, he was an average thrower. His dual threat (run or pass) is what set him apart. The only team that would make sense is Baltimore, and they don’t need him.
That may change soon. With the Ravens being forced to replace their entire RB depth chart while you’re relying on dual threat QB, they may look in his direction. They didn’t bring back RGIII, but Tyler Huntley scares no one.
He threw the ball reasonably well. That’s the issue now-Cam used to be able to make most throws, even though it was his primary distinguishing asset. He was a better passer than most scrambling QBs, better certainly than Lamar Jackson even is today (though I think Jackson has a better future), and Jackson is a good QB overall. Ever since that injury a couple of years ago, Cam has not been able to hit some pretty basic throws consistently. He needs to recognize that and stop making excuses for losing his job if he ever wants another chance.
Lost a lot of respect for him when in the Super Bowl he just stood there and looked at his fumble, never made an attempt to recover it for what ever reason. He could easily get a job as a hair stylist.
The Texans need to sign Cam so they can get the #1 draft pick.
They do t need to sign cam for that. They’re getting the number one pick. Then immediately get to give it to the dolphins
The thought that Bill Belichick cut Newton because he was worried about the comfort level of his rookie QB is laughable. Or that it was even a tiny factor in that decision making. Good coaches want rookies, heralded or not, to be uncomfortable.
Any truth to the rumor that Sophie Scott was higher on the depth chart than Cam? Apparently she knows the playbook better than Cam did!
Indy? Wentz is out, they are just going to run the ball heaps with Taylor, Hynes and Mack anyways.
Great protection and some decent receivers.
He’s better than who they likely start