The New England Patriots have released quarterback Cam Newton, according to multiple reports. Newton had been working with the Patriots’ top offensive unit for the entire offseason, from training camp to preseason. But the Patriots have decided to promote Mac Jones, the 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft, to the starting role for Week 1.
The Patriots re-signed Newton to a one-year incentive-laden deal this offseason. He was the team’s starter in 2020 with 2,657 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Jones put together a preseason performance to remember: 36 of 52 for 388 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers. His performance in training camp was impressive, too, with a particularly strong set of practices in Newton’s absence when he accidentally violated the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols. Jones’ work was enough to win the job.
“Mac has come in here and worked hard,” Bill Belichick said on Monday during an appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “He’s put in a ton of work every day. I think that has paid off and it’s showed up in the things he’s been able to improve on. If he makes a mistake he learns from it and works hard at it — he works hard in the first place so he doesn’t make mistakes. Maybe he gets it right the first time, which is sometimes hard at that position. His work ethic is very good.”
The Patriots drafted Jones to be their quarterback of the future. It seems he seized the moment and made himself the quarterback of the present, too.
