Patriots tab Newton quarterback starter
Seahawks want to give Gordon another chance
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Cam Newton is officially the new starting quarterback of the New England Patriots.
The Boston Globe first reported the decision.
The move was expected after the 2015 league MVP outperformed second-year Jarrett Stidham and veteran Brian Hoyer during training camp. Newton, who signed with the Patriots in July after being released by Carolina, succeeds Tom Brady following his departure to Tampa Bay in free agency.
Newton was also announced as one of eight team captains, along with special teamer Matt Slater, center David Andrews, running back James White, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, defensive lineman Lawrence Guy, safety Devin McCourty and cornerback Jason McCourty.
“I will not and do not take this opportunity for granted!’ Newton wrote in a post on Instagram along with the captains’ announcement. “I’m so grateful for this organization, my teammates and this city. Thank You! No need to look back now.”
SEAHAWKS: Seattle is bringing back wide receiver Josh Gordon on a oneyear deal even as the talented pass catcher awaits reinstatement by the NFL after his latest suspension.
Gordon’s signing was confirmed on Twitter by his agent David Canter early Thursday and later announced by the team, just two days before the Seahawks must cut their roster to 53 players. Gordon is the second veteran signed by the team in the past week, joining Paul Richardson.
Gordon was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last December for violating the league’s drug policy. He tested positive for performance enhancers and “substances of abuse,” the league said in a statement at the time.
He applied for reinstatement in June and is still awaiting word from the league. Carroll said “we’ve obviously tried to find out,” but the team does not have an indication on when or if Gordon will be reinstated.
BEARS: Coach Matt Nagy and his assistant coaches will put on a few pots of coffee and work into the night behind closed doors.
The Bears are finally on the verge of a quarterback decision between Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. They will be watching loads of training camp film, with a decision coming possibly Sunday or even sooner on who starts the season opener against the Detroit Lions.
“I would say this: It is not easy,” Nagy said. “It’s not clear cut.”
TITANS: Coach Mike Vrabel insists signing Stephen Gostkowski is all about what the three-time Super Bowl champ can do for the Titans this season, not about the kicker’s New England ties to the Tennessee coach and general manager.
Vrabel was a teammate of Gostkowski for the kicker’s first three seasons in New England, while Titans general manager Jon Robinson worked in the Patriots’ scouting department. “But in the end, that doesn’t really mean anything,” Vrabel said Thursday.
The Titans made the switch Thursday, agreeing to terms with the fourtime Pro Bowler Gostkowski and waiving Greg Joseph. Gostkowski was not at practice later Thursday as he works through the COVID-19 testing protocol.