Patriots shockingly release Cam Newton, make Mac Jones starter

Say cheese, Mac!

The Patriots paved the way for rookie quarterback Mac Jones to start the season after surprisingly releasing veteran Cam Newton on Tuesday, hours before the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to 53 players for the coming season.

Bill Belichick repeatedly indicated throughout training camp that the starting job was Newton’s to lose, and the head coach even told reporters Newton was heading “in the right direction” just before news of the release leaked.

But Newton missed five days of practice last week after violating COVID-19 protocol and struggled during Sunday’s preseason finale against the Giants.

“I really appreciate all the love and support during this time, but I must say please don’t feel sorry for me!! #imGOOD,” Newton wrote on Instagram following the news.

Over the three preseason games he started, Newton completed 14 of 21 passes for 162 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

The 32-year-old — and 2015 MVP — signed with New England last offseason after future Hall of Famer Tom Brady left the Patriots for Tampa Bay.

There was hope Newton would resurrect his career under Belichick after injuries derailed the quarterback’s final seasons in Carolina, but it didn’t work out, as New England missed the postseason for the just the second time since 2002.

Newton, who was infected with the coronavirus early last season, went 7-8, threw eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions and had 12 rushing TDs with the Patriots, who finished 7-9.

Still, New England re-signed Newton to a one-year, $5.1 million ($3.5 million guaranteed) contract over the offseason, and the expectation was that he would start the 2021 season while Jones grew accustomed to life in the NFL.

Jones, who was the first quarterback Belichick had taken in the first round with New England (15th overall), completed 36 of 52 passes for 389 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions during the preseason.

“He’s accepted the challenge and he’s trying to push us in the huddle,” Patriots running back James White said. “We believe in him.”

The 22-year-old Jones particularly impressed during a joint practice with the Giants last week, taking over the starter reps when Newton was not able to play due to what New England described as a “misunderstanding” with the COVID-19 protocols.

Newton attended an out-of-town doctor’s appointment and had to quarantine because he was not vaccinated.

“I’ve learned at a young age to just prepare like the starter,” Jones said Sunday. “You don’t have to be the starter, but you have to prepare and get into your routine.”

Unlike the more-mobile Newton, Jones is a pocket-passer in the mold of Brady, who won six of his seven Super Bowls with Belichick to form one of the greatest dynasties in sports.

Jones, who helped lead Alabama to a national championship last season, is signed to a four-year, $15.58 million guaranteed rookie contract.

The 6-foot-3, 217-pound Jones threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with four interceptions for the Crimson Tide his junior year.

He joins a young crop of starting quarterbacks in the AFC East, including Jets rookie and second-overall pick Zach Wilson, as well as second-year Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa.

Jones succeeded Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback at Alabama. The Patriots open their season against the Dolphins at home on Sept. 12.

Without Newton on the roster, veterans Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham are expected to serve as the backups to Jones.