Cam Newton speaks out, clears air after being released by Patriots
Cam Newton spoke out about being released from the New England Patriots.
“Did it catch me by surprise being released? Absolutely,” Newton says in a 43-minute video uploaded to his YouTube page.
In a sit-down conversation with his father, Cecil Newton, on the 50-yard line of Westlake High school, Cam Newton’s alma mater, the two discussed the release. While the sentimental setup alluded to the closing of a chapter, Newton was clear, “Let me say this, cause this giving me retirement vibes, this ain’t that!”
The two went back and forth discussing the events that led to the ending of Newton’s time in New England. Cam Newton even detailed the exact moment he found out his fate:
"Matt Patrica was there, Bill was there… They told me they were going to give the reigns to Mac. I was like “ok cool.” It didn’t dawn on me, Yall releasing me? I was confused, we all were shocked, it was uncomfortable for everybody."
Newton emphasized to viewers that he isn’t “bitter” or “mad” and understands that “it is business.” He even went on to say that, “If they would’ve asked me to be second string… I would’ve said absolutely.”
Cam Newton doesn’t have any ill-well towards the Patriots for releasing him
So why is he a free agent? Newton believes it’s due to his larger than life personality, which even shines through in a video of him losing his job:
"The reason why they released me, is because indirectly,I was gone be a distraction, without being the starter. Just my aura. That’s my gift and my curse. When you bring a Cam Newton to your facility, to your franchise, people are interested."
Cecil Newton asked Cam how much he thinks the five-day absence played into the decision. Newton says, “Do I think this would have happened without me being away from the team for five days? Honestly, yes, it was gone happen. Did it help ease the decision? Yes.”
The younger Newton also cleared up what exactly happened that caused him to miss the five days: “I just wanted to do a check-up with the person who diagnosed me with the lisfranc.” (A reference to the foot injury he sustained in his last season with the Panthers.)
He argues he followed all the team’s instructions when making the trip and was shocked to find out he had to sit out:
"Let’s go back to being away from the team for those five days, They gave me clearance to go…. I crossed all the lines, checked all the boxes, dotted all my I’s. And then to find out I had to sit out, that’s when I kind of felt bamboozled, cause I’m like y’all told me to go."
Cam Newton has thoughts on Mac Jones
Cam Newton had high praise for his successor, Mac Jones. In the early minutes of the video, Newton expressed: “They’re gonna win football games with Mac Jones… Mac is good enough”
He would double down in the closing minutes of the video:
"I wish everybody nothing but love and respect and health through this year. McLennan (Mac Jones) is a well deserving player. He did do what he came to do. He proved that he can be productive and he will be productive."
What’s next for Cam Newton?
Newton asked himself the question most viewers wanted to know, saying, “What’s next for me? You gotta make it make sense to me.”
Going on to talk about how this is the first time he’s spent time with his family in September, seemingly alluded to the fact that his next opportunity would have to be something worthwhile. This is presumably, a starting position as he doubled down: “I said it once, I’ll say it again, it’s not 32 guys out there that’s better than me.”
With Week 1 officially started as of last night, it seems as if the veteran quarterback will have to wait on an injury or poor performance. Opportunities to be a starter are not abundant at this point in the season.
The teams to keep an eye on are the Houston Texans, The Denver Broncos, and The Washington Football Team. All three with temporary answers at quarterback. If things start slowly, don’t be surprised if they look to Newton to shake it up.