Cam Newton Suggests Why He Was Released From The Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Cam Newton suggested why the New England Patriots released him before the start of the 2021 season in a Youtube video Friday.

The veteran quarterback released his "Funky Friday" special on Youtube, sharing his thoughts on his fallout with the Patriots amid new starting quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones, who was selected 15th overall by the Patriots in the 2021 NFL Draft, was named as the team's starting quarterback after Newton's release.

In the Youtube video, Newton explains he felt if he remained on the team as a backup, rookie Jones would have felt "uncomfortable."

"The reason they released me is because, indirectly, I was going to be a distraction without being the starter," the one-time NFL MVP said. "Just my aura. … That's my gift and my curse. When you bring a Cam Newton to your facility, when you bring a Cam Newton to your franchise, people are interested."

Newton was not trying to take away from Jones' accomplishments, adding that the rookie proved to be "productive," in efforts towards the team.

Newton violated the NFL's health and safety protocols before his Patriots release, making the presumably unvaccinated player separate from the team for five days.

While the rookie outplayed Newton in the preseason, and Newton again missed time because of what the Patriots called a "misunderstanding" about COVID protocols, Newton's usage during the preseason seemingly had him in line to at least begin the season as the team's starting signal-caller.

"Let me be honest with you… if they would've asked me, if they said, 'Cam, we're going to give the team to Mac, you're going to be the second string. We expect you to be everything and some to help guide him through this tenure' — I would've said, 'Absolutely,'" Newton said in the video.

Newton was signed to the Patriots in the middle of the 2020 offseason after nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Put into a difficult situation, he had to take over after Tom Brady left the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and deal with losing key players to coronavirus concerns.

Newton contracted coronavirus but only missed one game.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he has "nothing but positive thoughts and feelings" for Newton, adding that he came in and worked hard. "He gave us everything we had. Right now, our future is going to be Mac [Jones] at quarterback, and that is where we're going to go." Belichick told WEEI Radio.

Watch the full Youtube video here: