Patriots: Cam Newton’s cryptic ‘loyalty’ Instagram caption gives pause

For the most part these days, we scroll on by New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton’s Instagram caption.

By and large, they’re all the same level of mystical, inscrutable, and generally harmless. Enough to raise your eyebrow and make you cock your head to the side, but not necessarily worth analyzing like Sherlock Holmes.

Newton’s post after the Pats’ first preseason contest gave us more pause than most, though.

Not because we’re worried about him or his attitude, but just because we want to make sure we’re doing right by the veteran as the tide under center begins to turn.

Newton said and did all the right things after Mac Jones got the vast majority of the run in New England’s preseason opener win over the Washington Football Team. It seems as if he’s in a great headspace, reminding all of us how much he “admires” the kid after an impressive debut.

On Friday, though, came a reminder than Newton “deserves” loyalty, according to his Instagram caption. Loyalty from whom? Is this just another Newton-ism, or cause for alarm?

Patriots QB Cam Newton is asking for loyalty.

Now, whom is he begging for loyalty from, exactly? The Patriots organization? Is this a plea for decisions to be measured, as we move ever closer to the inevitable Mac Jones switch? A scenario where Newton isn’t asking to be coddled or to eternally remain the starter, but rather just to be treated gently when the transition does take place?

Or is he asking for a form of loyalty from the media, a group of intrepid reporters who seemed to be looking for anything and everything just so they could have an excuse to publish their pre-planned “Mac has ARRIVED!” posts on Thursday night. Learning nothing from the 10-year anniversary of Ryan Mallett’s rise, Jones was declared ready to lead after a flurry of short completions during his very first preseason action.

Maybe Newton just wants to remind everyone that he knows his role in 2021 and beyond, but would like to be respected with equal treatment while he’s still here?

Newton fought through the type of adversity last season that will (hopefully) remain unmatched eternally, pending an entirely different pandemic. He rehabbed his shoulder injury in real time while attempting to fill the shoes of the greatest singular winner in NFL history, losing time to battling COVID-19 directly in the middle of his resurgence.

The former MVP should always remain in the good graces of Patriots fans, no matter how much longer his rein atop the QB depth chart lasts.

We’re taking this post as a reminder that he’s sacrificed plenty, and he deserves well-wishes and respect on his way out, too, no matter how long that transition lasts.

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