Patriots news & rumors: Mac Jones time is now; Newton Cowboy ready
Tom Brady is not walking through that door, but Mac Jones is. As Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots found a way to dominate headlines on NFL cutdown day, the man walking out that door is Cam Newton.
It was a surprising move, but obviously not a shocking move given what the young quarterback brings to the table, but the surprise was more Belichick deciding to go for the rookie over the energetic veteran whose best days are still reminiscing in the glory of 2015.
It really is quite that simple, Mac Jones won the job in the eyes of everyone still not basking in the glory of Cam past. Fans knew it, critics knew it, the Patriots locker room knew it and finally, the coach admitted it with the move.
Patriots players love them some Mac Jones
Speaking of teammates, while there was obviously love for Cam Newton, veterans like James White acknowledged what they have in a young quarterback growing more confident by the day.
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"“You can tell he has what it takes from the first practice with him,” White told the media, as transcribed by WEEI. “He’s constantly learning, constantly trying to improve. He’s tough on himself but I think he has high expectations for himself and when he comes into the huddle, he wants to control the huddle and make sure that everyone who’s in there with him believes in him. He’s building confidence each day, trying to improve each and every day. Because there is a lot of stuff that a quarterback has to do. He’s constantly in the film room, constantly asking questions trying to find ways to improve.”"
In every way Jones has shown he is the real thing on the field this summer. Yes, there has been mistakes, but that is to be expected. It is how he learn from those mistakes that proves his readiness. Given the team surrounding him, Jones is set up for success without having to do too much. With a great running game, a top 5 offensive line, some weapons in tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith to go along with a pretty good defense, Jones only has to manage the game until he masters the professional game and is let loose.
If that sounds familiar, it is because that is exactly how Brady started by in 2001. Jones has a long way to go to reach GOAT status, but he is being given a similar start. The only difference is he knows he’s the starter heading into a season. Mr. Brady was thrown in the fire.
NFL rumors: Will Cam Newton go from Patriots to Cowboys
While Mac Jones being named starting quarterback for the New England Patriots wasn’t shocking, the big surprise with Tuesday’s news was the release of Cam Newton.
Cutting Newton can be seen as Bill Belichick doing him a favor, but it left some question marks as to who will back up the rookie. They also released veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, but the expectation is that he will be brought back. But what about Cam?
Will he latch on to another team this season? That depends on if he is willing to be a backup in the NFL.
One team that has shown early interest are the Dallas Cowboys.
As of Tuesday, the Cowboys have Cooper Rush backing up Dak Prescott in 2021 after releasing both Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci. Given Prescott is coming off ankle surgery, the Cowboys may look to get another veteran quarterback in there to back up the star quarterback in case he goes down again.
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It wouldn’t be a starting job like Newton may want, but it would be a good situation for him and may even be his best opportunity to land on a team in 2021. There is also a chance he could end up back in New England if Mac Jones suffers an injury. While he didn’t secure his starting role, he would present the best option for the Patriots if he was still available if such a situation presented itself.