Patriots cut Cam; Franks on roster
Cam Newton followed Mac Jones along the sideline, holding his right hand up, waiting for the rookie quarterback to slap it after the No. 15 overall pick threw a touchdown in a preseason game Sunday night.
Newton may as well have been congratulating Jones for taking his job.
The New England Patriots released Newton on Tuesday hours before NFL teams reduced rosters to 53 players. Jones, the first QB selected in the first round during Bill Belichick’s 22 seasons in New England, takes over after Newton was a one-year stopgap following Tom Brady’s departure.
Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, headlines the list of players now seeking a new team. He was 7-8 as a starter last season.
“He started at a much higher point than what he did last year, so definitely moving in
the right direction,” Belichick said of Newton on Monday.
A day later, he was moving out of Patriot Way.
Newton is not vaccinated and recently missed practice time because of covid-19 protocols. It’s unknown whether that factored into New England’s decision to let him go.
Jacksonville Jaguars Coach Urban Meyer said vaccination status was a consideration in their roster decisions.
“Everyone was considered. That was part of the production, let’s start talking about this and also, ‘Is he vaccinated or not?’ Can I say that that was a decision-maker? It was certainly in consideration,” Meyer said.
Meyer pointed to defensive end Josh Allen missing one week because of protocols. Allen, who is not vaccinated, was activated from the covid-19 list Monday.
“Well, Josh Allen’s never had [covid],” Meyer said. “He’s not played in two weeks. So he’s never had covid. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say that, but he’s never had covid. So that’s pretty punitive.”
The Atlanta Falcons kept backup quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Feleipe Franks (Arkansas Razorbacks). Rosen, a former first-round pick by Arizona, survived the cuts one week after signing with Atlanta and playing in only one preseason game.
Franks completed 11 of 26 passes for 128 yards and 1 interception. He was particularly dangerous on the ground, gaining 113 yards on 10 carries.
Philadelphia released wide receiver Travis Fulgham, who had an excellent five-game stretch last season before disappearing from the offense. Veteran running back Jordan Howard also was cut.