FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In a stunning move, the New England Patriots released veteran quarterback Cam Newton on Tuesday, turning things over to rookie Mac Jones as the starter, ESPN has confirmed.
Coach Bill Belichick had said repeatedly that Newton was the team's starting quarterback but that he had to reestablish that position, or someone would have to play better than him. Jones has done that, in Belichick's view.
Jones finished the preseason 36-of-52 for 389 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions, playing 107 snaps, easily the highest total among Patriots quarterbacks.