BREAKING: Patriots cut Cam Newton, name Mac Jones starter

The New England Patriots have released former MVP and returning starting quarterback Cam Newton on roster cutdown day, per the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. The surprise move provides the team with cap relief as the Patriots turns to rookie Mac Jones to start the season at quarterback.

Newton, a 10-year NFL veteran, joined the Patriots last season as the replacement for Tom Brady. The team failed to make the playoffs after being ravaged by injuries and offered the quarterback a new one-year contract this offseason.

New England head coach Bill Belichick has remained relatively quiet about the quarterback battle throughout the preseason, refusing to place a timeline on his decision. The Patriots will continue to make cuts throughout the day to reach the NFL’s 53-man roster requirement for the regular season.

Jones versus Newton by the numbers

Newton saw limited preseason action compared to Jones in order to make sure he remained healthy. Newton only dropped back to pass 21 times compared to 65 attempts by Jones.

But even with the difference in attempts, Jones was statistically more of an impact as the Patriots quarterback. Pro Football Focus graded Newton’s preseason work as an 83.5, well under Jones’ 93.2.

PFF goes on to detail that Jones was a more accurate quarterback overall, and that he was better at “big plays” than Newton. In the same offensive scheme, Jones’ average passing target was 8.9 yards downfield. Newton’s targets were mostly closer, averaging 6.5 yards.

Comments from the coaching staff

Since 1991, Dante Scarnecchia has been with the New England Patriots, sans a three-year hiatus from 2014-2016. In his time, the current Patriots offensive line coach has seen quarterbacks. Drew Bledsoe and Tom Brady come to mind.

Now, the long-time Patriots assistant says both Mac Jones and Cam Newton have impressed him.

“I watched the quarterbacks to see what they look like after all the things that have been said. I was really, really impressed by both the quarterbacks,” Scarnecchia said, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

“It looks like Cam [Newton] has better command of the offense, and the ball seems to be coming out a little bit faster. And I think what they’re doing with Mac Jones is everything.

“They’re lining up in stuff that has gone beyond Basics 101 and into other things — the empty backfield sets, the protection adjustments, all the stuff that goes with it. And he seems to be doing very well with it all.”