Patriots Cut Cam Newton In NFL Shocker: Reports

FOXBORO, MA — The New England Patriots cut presumed starting quarterback and former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton on the eve of the season Tuesday, according to multiple media reports.

The move to jettison last year's starting quarterback — and presumed starter for next Sunday's Week 1 game vs. the Miami Dolphins — opens the door for rookie first-round draft pick Mac Jones to be the team's new starting quarterback to start the season.

The stunning move ends Newton's relatively short and tumultuous on-field run at Gillette Stadium and comes after it appeared the veteran had done enough to hold off the rookie through training camp and three preseason games.

Newton seemingly addressed the decision with a post on his Instagram account Tuesday morning: "I really appreciate all the love and support during this time but I must say... please don't feel sorry for me. I'm good."

The Patriots signed Newton last spring after six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Brady went on to win yet another Super Bowl in Tampa, Newton struggled with the Patriots as they scuffled to a 7-9 season and missed the playoffs for only the second time since 2002.

Newton missed time with a bout of the coronavirus and was pulled from three different losses late in games.

Yet, Patriots Bill Belichick stood behind Newton as the starting quarterback during last season and re-signed the 32-year-old at the beginning of NFL free agency this spring before taking Jones out of the University of Alabama with the 15th pick of the draft a month later.

While the rookie outplayed Newton in the preseason, and Newton again missed time last week because of what the Patriots called a "misunderstanding" about COVID protocols, Newton's usage during the preseason seemingly had him in line to at least begin the season as the team's starting signal-caller.

But all of that changed Tuesday morning when reports came flooding out shortly after 9 a.m. that the Patriots were letting go of the bridge from Brady and going all-in with the franchise's hopeful new long-term starting quarterback in Jones.