Shocking news out of New England on Tuesday, which is cutdown day when NFL teams have to reach 53-man rosters. The Patriots have cut Cam Newton and named Mac Jones their starting quarterback.
The decision to go with the first-round pick out of Alabama comes a week after Newton missed five days of practice due to COVID-19 protocols.
Newton left the New England area and received a daily COVID-19 test away from an NFL facility. Still, he was required to stay away from the team.
The Patriots released a statement that signaled they supported Newton:
“On Saturday, Cam Newton traveled to a Club-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area. He received daily Covid tests, which were all negative. Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam will be subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility. Cam will continue participating virtually in team activities and return to the club facility on Thursday, August 26.”
Newton started on Sunday and played two series, all with the starters before Jones came on to play against the New York Giants.
Jones finished the preseason 36-of-52 for 389 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Newton signed with the Patriots last season and played in 15 games, going 7-8 as a starter. He threw for 2,657 yards with 8 touchdowns and 10 picks. The Heisman winner from Auburn also ran for 592 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Jones, meanwhile, will be the Patriots’ third starting quarterback in three years. That comes after Tom Brady ruled the scene for decades and was their QB in 2019 before leaving after that season via free agency to Tampa Bay.
The former Alabama star was chosen by Bill Belichick & Co. with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
With the Crimson Tide, he threw for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdown passes against 4 picks in the 2020 season.