Patriots: Cam Newton refutes he lost QB job to Mac Jones on Instagram
By Jerry Trotta
The New England Patriots will begin a new era when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, as rookie Mac Jones will start under center after he was taken with the No. 15 overall pick back in April.
While Jones was arguably the better quarterback during training camp and the preseason, countless reporters and fans presumed Cam Newton would begin the year as the starter before eventually giving way to Jones.
However, those theories were vaporized after the Patriots shockingly released Newton before last Tuesday’s roster deadline.
A few days after the earth-shattering move, Newton went on Instagram Live to say “I have a lot of things to get off my chest,” leading fans and the media to believe he was about to go scorched earth on the Patriots.
While that didn’t happen, Newton still provided a headline-grabbing quote when he refuted that he lost the QB battle to Jones.
Cam Newton says he didn't lose QB competition.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) September 10, 2021
"Mac Jones didn't beat me out. But I would have been a distraction, knowing that if they gave him the starting role, they knew the perception that they would've had if the success didn't come."
Former Patriots star Cam Newton rejected the idea that Mac Jones won the quarterback competition.
Would it have been great if Newton took unfiltered shots at the Patriots and Bill Belichick? No doubt, but the former MVP handles himself with respect, so that was a pipe dream. However, Newton refuting the idea that he lost the QB battle is the next best thing, and he clearly wanted to share his thoughts on that.
For anybody wondering if Newton thinks he would’ve been released had he not missed crucial practice time leading up to the preseason finale for violating COVID protocols, he actually thinks it would’ve happened regardless.
Newton revealed the Patriots gave him “clearance” to attend the medical appointment. However, the former No. 1 overall pick admitted to feeling “bamboozled” when he was told he couldn’t return to the team.
"“During that time, I started seeing signs of change,” Newton said. “Do I think this would have happened without me being away from the team for five days? Honestly, yes. It was going to happen. Did it help ease the decision? Yes.”"
Cam: "Then to find out that I had to sit out, that’s when I kind of felt bamboozled, because ya’ll told me to go."
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 10, 2021
Hard to fault Cam for feeling like that…though all of it could’ve been avoided had he decided to get vaccinated. Just saying!
Anyway, Newton finished up by saying he “absolutely” would’ve been fine being Jones’ backup. At the same time, he feels he was released because it could’ve been uncomfortable for Jones having him lurking over the rookie’s shoulder.
Essentially, Newton thinks the Patriots didn’t want to leave a shred of doubt in Jones’ mind that he’s their quarterback. That concept makes sense, even though Newton is seemingly making excuses that he didn’t win the job.
We had a feeling Newton was going to provide the goods in this IG Live, and, though he didn’t blast Patriots for releasing him, he didn’t disappoint.
