Cam Newton theorized in an interview posted to his YouTube channel Friday that the Patriots released him — rather than keep him to back up rookie quarterback Mac Jones — because his “aura” would cause him to indirectly be a “distraction” in New England.
That theory might be accurate.
WCVB-TV’s Christopher Gasper tweeted Friday that two NFL sources confirmed Newton’s presence, persona and cachet with players made the Patriots view him as a less-than-ideal backup QB behind Jones, and NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport expressed similar sentiments during an “NFL Now” segment.