The New England Patriots released Cam Newton on Tuesday, which means Bill Belichick is handing over his team to quarterback Mac Jones, the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Their quarterback battle was one of the biggest competitions across the NFL, with Newton and Jones jockeying for QB1. Newton received the starter snaps for all of training camp and the preseason, but Jones managed to put together a strong set of performances, capped off with an efficient outing in the team’s preseason finale. That — combined with his work ethic and aptitude for the playbook — was enough to get him the job over Newton.
And perhaps because Newton wants to be a starter somewhere in 2021, the Patriots allowed him to hit the free-agent market.
Here’s a look at how NFL media members and fans reacted on Twitter.