When the head coach declares, "Cam is our quarterback," as Bill Belichick did this past spring after selecting Mac Jones in the first round, it's pretty difficult to classify Cam Newton's status on the team as anything other than a guarantee. Circumstances on the ground can always change, of course, and certainly, with Jones looking over his shoulder, it's probably only a matter of time before the youngster gets his opportunity under center.
Newton, it should be noted, did miss one of the organized team activity sessions (OTAs) during the spring with a minor injury to his throwing hand, but was back in action in short order and didn't appear to be hindered by it in any way.