New England Patriots release Cam Newton, Mac Jones named the starter

The Cam Newton experiment is over in New England with the Patriots releasing the former MVP.

The New England Patriots have released Cam Newton and named Mac Jones the starting quarterback.

Jim McBride of the Boston Globe was the first to report the bombshell news that’s likely to be the biggest news on the day NFL rosters get down to 53 today.

Cam Newton released by Patriots, Mac Jones named starting quarterback

Newton was in a quarterback competition with the former Alabama signal-caller who was the No. 15 pick in April’s NFL Draft.

The decision appeared to be a tough one to make for Patriots coach Bill Belichick but that apparent difficult decision proved to be an easy one in recent days.

After Newton missed time after being on the COVID list, Jones proved capable of being the Week 1 starter and the team never looking back.

And now the Patriots have made the decision to turn the franchise over to Jones who was a Heisman finalist and national champion with the Crimson Tide last year.

What’s next for Cam Newton?

Newton may find it challenging to find a team that wants him this year. Without the benefit of an offseason and training camp to learn the playbook, his teammates and coaches, Newton will be playing from behind.

His physical nature of play means Newton has aged quicker and his physical skill-set has diminished compared to other players at his age. Newton may not want to sign somewhere he isn’t guaranteed a starting job either so he may have to wait until a starter gets injured and a desperate team comes calling.

There’s a chance he sits out the entire year but retirement likely isn’t an option right now. Another consideration for any team interested in Newton is that he is yet to be vaccinated.