FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Mac Jones era in New England begins.
The Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, clearing the way for the rookie to open the season as New England’s quarterback, according to a person with knowledge of the move.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
His release came hours before NFL teams reduce rosters to 53 players and brings an abrupt end to Newton’s stay in New England. Newton went 7-8 as the starter in his first season since Tom Brady headed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New England finished 7-9 for the year.
Newton started each of New England’s three preseason games, but he also missed five days of practice leading into Sunday’s exhibition finale against the New York Giants after a “misunderstanding” of NFL COVID-19 protocols. It required him to sit out a mandatory five-day waiting period for unvaccinated players after he attended an out-of-town doctor’s appointment.
Meanwhile, Jones was impressive throughout training camp, displaying an ability to lead the offense down the field and bounce back from mistakes. He’s also earned the respect of the coaching staff and incumbent veterans alike.
Fellow Alabama alum and linebacker Dont’a Hightower said last week that Jones’ work ethic has stood out in the locker room. He also noted how he recently heard the rookie had been looking at the Patriots’ defensive plays to help him conceptualize how opposing defenses might attack.
“I give him credit for that because not a lot of young guys would see that as an opportunity and he did that on his own,” Hightower said. “You can take that for what it’s worth. The kid works hard. I’ll leave it at that.”
Coach Bill Belichick acknowledged at the time that Newton’s recent COVID-19 protocols absence provided an opportunity for Jones. The rookie seized it, performing well during the first of two joint practices with the Giants.
“I’m going to be ready whenever my time comes up,” Jones said after Sunday’s 22-20 win over New York. “We got work to do and we’ll get the things fixed and then we’ll just keep rolling.”
Though he didn’t start any exhibition games, Jones took 107 snaps to just 38 for Newton. He completed 69% (36 of 52) for 389 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
“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.”
When he was drafted in April, Jones became the first quarterback selected in the first round during Belichick’s time in New England.
This move by the Patriots means this could mark just the second time in the NFL since the merger that more than two rookie quarterbacks started opening games.
Trevor Lawrence already has been named the starter in Jacksonville; Zach Wilson is projected to start for the Jets; and Jones is set for New England’s opener against Miami on Sept. 12.
Five rookie quarterbacks started openers in 2012.
Greg Cote: Bill Belichick must be smiling as Dolphins deal with Watson rumors and Tua with doubts
Michael Ainsworth
The days of Aaron Rodgers spending three years on the bench as Brett Favre's apprentice or Carson Palmer sitting out his entire rookie season behind Jon Kitna in Cincinnati are mostly in the past.
While some point to the success Patrick Mahomes has had in Kansas City since spending almost his entire rookie season on the bench behind Alex Smith, rookies are being thrown into the fire quicker than ever. The differences between the pro and college offenses have narrowed and teams try to take advantage of having a starting quarterback on a cheaper rookie contract.
Since the rookie wage scale was put in place before the 2011 season, 30 of the 32 quarterbacks drafted in the first round — all but Jake Locker and Jordan Love — started at least one game as a rookie. Twelve of those started the opener and nearly two-thirds (21 out of 32) got their chance in the first four games of the season.
There is no clear pattern of success when it comes to when to start a rookie quarterback. Andrew Luck stepped in right away to turn Indianapolis into a playoff team. Josh Allen and Justin Herbert off to good career trajectories after making their first start in Week 2. But other early starters such as EJ Manuel and Sam Darnold didn't have the same sort of success.
While Mahomes and Lamar Jackson won MVPs in their second year after waiting until the second half of their rookie seasons to start, others like Johnny Manziel and Locker didn't appear to benefit from the time on the sideline.
“Each situation has its own situation,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I look at ours, I learn from everything through my own experience and just reading about football and watching it over the years. That’s why we all develop our opinions. But just like the perfect play call or the perfect throw, you don’t know until the end of it. Stuff is adjusting at all times and you’ve got to always be ready to adjust and do the best with opportunities you have.”
Michael Ainsworth
The days of Aaron Rodgers spending three years on the bench as Brett Favre's apprentice or Carson Palmer sitting out his entire rookie season behind Jon Kitna in Cincinnati are mostly in the past.
While some point to the success Patrick Mahomes has had in Kansas City since spending almost his entire rookie season on the bench behind Alex Smith, rookies are being thrown into the fire quicker than ever. The differences between the pro and college offenses have narrowed and teams try to take advantage of having a starting quarterback on a cheaper rookie contract.
Since the rookie wage scale was put in place before the 2011 season, 30 of the 32 quarterbacks drafted in the first round — all but Jake Locker and Jordan Love — started at least one game as a rookie. Twelve of those started the opener and nearly two-thirds (21 out of 32) got their chance in the first four games of the season.
There is no clear pattern of success when it comes to when to start a rookie quarterback. Andrew Luck stepped in right away to turn Indianapolis into a playoff team. Josh Allen and Justin Herbert off to good career trajectories after making their first start in Week 2. But other early starters such as EJ Manuel and Sam Darnold didn't have the same sort of success.
While Mahomes and Lamar Jackson won MVPs in their second year after waiting until the second half of their rookie seasons to start, others like Johnny Manziel and Locker didn't appear to benefit from the time on the sideline.
“Each situation has its own situation,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "I look at ours, I learn from everything through my own experience and just reading about football and watching it over the years. That’s why we all develop our opinions. But just like the perfect play call or the perfect throw, you don’t know until the end of it. Stuff is adjusting at all times and you’ve got to always be ready to adjust and do the best with opportunities you have.”
Greg Cote: Bill Belichick must be smiling as Dolphins deal with Watson rumors and Tua with doubts
Jed Jacobsohn
Shanahan went into training camp with Jimmy Garoppolo as his starter and Lance getting up to speed after San Francisco traded three first-round picks to take him at No. 3 overall in the April draft. Lance has shown some spectacular plays in the preseason like an 80-yard touchdown to Trent Sherfield, but also some growing pains as he struggles with accuracy after starting just one season at FCS-level North Dakota State — and only one game in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Garoppolo helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl in the 2019 season before his fourth-quarter struggles contributed to that loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Garoppolo lacks the mobility and big-play skills of some of the top young quarterbacks in the league and has struggled to stay healthy, leading to the Niners' decision to make a big play for Lance.
That's why Shanahan isn't in a rush to make a change and will likely opt to use Lance in a part-time role early in the season to get him experience.
“Jimmy’s a very good player,” Shanahan said. “And when Jimmy’s at the top of his game, I told him this back when we made the trade: ‘There’s no rookie that’s going to just come in here right away and take your job if you’re at the top of your game.’”
Garoppolo hasn't been at the top of his game in the preseason but is still slated to start Week 1 against Detroit.
Jed Jacobsohn
Shanahan went into training camp with Jimmy Garoppolo as his starter and Lance getting up to speed after San Francisco traded three first-round picks to take him at No. 3 overall in the April draft. Lance has shown some spectacular plays in the preseason like an 80-yard touchdown to Trent Sherfield, but also some growing pains as he struggles with accuracy after starting just one season at FCS-level North Dakota State — and only one game in 2020 because of the pandemic.
Garoppolo helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl in the 2019 season before his fourth-quarter struggles contributed to that loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Garoppolo lacks the mobility and big-play skills of some of the top young quarterbacks in the league and has struggled to stay healthy, leading to the Niners' decision to make a big play for Lance.
That's why Shanahan isn't in a rush to make a change and will likely opt to use Lance in a part-time role early in the season to get him experience.
“Jimmy’s a very good player,” Shanahan said. “And when Jimmy’s at the top of his game, I told him this back when we made the trade: ‘There’s no rookie that’s going to just come in here right away and take your job if you’re at the top of your game.’”
Garoppolo hasn't been at the top of his game in the preseason but is still slated to start Week 1 against Detroit.
Greg Cote: Bill Belichick must be smiling as Dolphins deal with Watson rumors and Tua with doubts
Wade Payne
It's a similar situation in Chicago, where the Bears traded up to draft Fields after already signing Andy Dalton earlier in the offseason.
Fields has shown flashes in the preseason of a quarterback who won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in each of his two seasons at Ohio State, displaying the ability to make big plays.
“Big picture, we love where he’s at,” Nagy said of Fields. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
But with a spotty offensive line the Bears seem ready to stick with Dalton, at least for Week 1 against Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.
Wade Payne
It's a similar situation in Chicago, where the Bears traded up to draft Fields after already signing Andy Dalton earlier in the offseason.
Fields has shown flashes in the preseason of a quarterback who won the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in each of his two seasons at Ohio State, displaying the ability to make big plays.
“Big picture, we love where he’s at,” Nagy said of Fields. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”
But with a spotty offensive line the Bears seem ready to stick with Dalton, at least for Week 1 against Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.
Greg Cote: Bill Belichick must be smiling as Dolphins deal with Watson rumors and Tua with doubts
John Minchillo
The situation in New England could be even more complicated. While Jones was the last of the first-round quarterbacks drafted at No. 15, he might be the most polished and could be ready to step in early after a stellar final season at Alabama. Jones has looked sharp in the preseason and got extra time with the starters last week when Cam Newton was forced to be away for five days because of COVID-19 protocols.
“I’m here to play any role that I can play and, help any way I can,” Jones said. “I’m going to be ready whenever my time comes up.”
When that time is remains a question with coach Bill Belichick saying only he has “a lot of decisions to make.”
If Jones starts Week 1 it would mark just the second time since the merger that more than two rookie quarterbacks started the opener, joining the five rookie starters in 2012. Those were Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden and Russell Wilson Only Wilson, in Seattle, is still with the team that drafted him.
John Minchillo
The situation in New England could be even more complicated. While Jones was the last of the first-round quarterbacks drafted at No. 15, he might be the most polished and could be ready to step in early after a stellar final season at Alabama. Jones has looked sharp in the preseason and got extra time with the starters last week when Cam Newton was forced to be away for five days because of COVID-19 protocols.
“I’m here to play any role that I can play and, help any way I can,” Jones said. “I’m going to be ready whenever my time comes up.”
When that time is remains a question with coach Bill Belichick saying only he has “a lot of decisions to make.”
If Jones starts Week 1 it would mark just the second time since the merger that more than two rookie quarterbacks started the opener, joining the five rookie starters in 2012. Those were Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden and Russell Wilson Only Wilson, in Seattle, is still with the team that drafted him.
FILE — New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, in this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, clearing the way for rookie Mac Jones to open the season as New England's quarterback, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
Stew Milne
FILE — New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, in this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, clearing the way for rookie Mac Jones to open the season as New England's quarterback, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
