New England Patriots release QB Cam Newton

New England Patriots release QB Cam Newton (nfl.com)


The quarterback battle in New England ended abruptly Tuesday when the Patriots released veteran Cam Newton, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, per a source.

The move means the starting job belongs to rookie first-round pick Mac Jones.

Both quarterbacks performed well in the preseason, although Jones got the lion's share of action during games. Newton missed a week leading up to the club's final preseason game after a misunderstanding of COVID-19 protocols forced him off the practice field and into the NFL's five-day re-entry cadence. Coach Bill Belichick declined to say, at the time, whether Newton's absence had damaged his chances of winning the job.

Jones was the No. 15 overall pick of the draft out of Alabama.

Interest in Newton around the league figures to be high. The 2015 NFL MVP started 15 games for the Patriots last year, his first in New England.

Speaks volumes to me that Teddy Bridgewater is the starting QB at Denver and Cam wasn't even held onto as a backup QB.

Speaks volumes to me that Teddy Bridgewater is the starting QB at Denver and Cam wasn't even held onto as a backup QB.

  it really does

I'm glad we aren't facing Cam in a revenge game . . . at least not in the Patriots game. A little odd to think we may still face him against Washington.

I don't really think it'll happen though. I think Rivera is relieved to be going another direction and he'll stick with Heinecke.

I'm glad we aren't facing Cam in a revenge game . . . at least not in the Patriots game.  A little odd to think we may still face him against Washington.

I don't really think it'll happen though.  I think Rivera is relieved to be going another direction and he'll stick with Heinecke.

I think Washington already said they have zero interest in Cam.  I'm not sure anyone does at this point.

I agree they aren't interested now but Heinecke gets injured a lot. I think it would be Rivera's nightmare but, if Heinecke gets injured again, they may be forced to bring someone in . . . and Cam's about all that's available.

I agree they aren't interested now but Heinecke gets injured a lot.  I think it would be Rivera's nightmare but, if Heinecke gets injured again, they may be forced to bring someone in . . . and Cam's about all that's available.

Pickings are mighty slim this time of the year.  Especially THIS season.