Pats send Cam packin’
Teams say vax status considered in cuts
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 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 MVP, headlines the list of players now seeking a new team. He was 7-8 as a starter.
“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.
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.
The Eagles 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 by Philadelphia.
Baltimore released quarterback Trace McSorley, leaving Tyler Huntley as the backup to Lamar Jackson. Carolina cut quarterback Will Grier, a third-round pick in 2019. The Panthers are going with Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker as their quarterbacks, for now.
The Falcons kept backup quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Feleipe Franks. Rosen, a former firstround pick by Arizona, survived the cuts one week after signing with Atlanta and playing in only one preseason game.
The Browns, a legitimate title contender after so many miserable seasons, surprisingly released wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who had a solid preseason. He’s also been a valuable special teamer. However, he fell behind Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and rookie Anthony Schwartz on the depth chart as the No. 3 behind Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
The Chiefs placed offensive lineman Kyle Long, who came out of retirement only to break his tibia at the start of camp, on the physically-unable-to-perform list.
The Lions left themselves without a kicker, releasing Randy Bullock and Zane Gonzalez.
Tennessee cut wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick, a fourth-round pick. The Titans traded up 15 spots to No. 109, swapping
their fifth-round pick and seventh-rounder for the receiver, who struggled with dropped passes.
The 49ers cut several veterans, including running back Wayne Gallman, receiver Travis Benjamin, safety Ha Ha Clinton Dix, cornerback Dontae Johnson and tight ends Jordan Matthews and MyCole Pruitt.
The Raiders cut speedy receiver John Brown after signing him earlier this offseason to replace the departed Nelson Agholor. Brown had $3.24 million guaranteed on the one-year deal but fell behind Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones on the depth chart at outside receiver.
The Bengals released a pair of 2020 Week 1 starters: guard Michael Jordan and defensive tackle Mike Daniels.
The Chiefs traded offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick in 2022.
The Eagles dealt offensive lineman Matt Pryor and a seventh-round pick in 2022 to the Colts for a sixth-rounder.
The Lions got wide receiver Trinity Benson and a 2023 sixthround pick from Denver for fifthand seventh-round picks in 2022.
The Niners traded linebacker Jonas Griffith to Denver for a sixthround pick. The deal also includes a swap of seventh-rounders.
BILLS EYE 60,000-SEAT STADIUM
The Bills’ proposed new $1.4 billion stadium would include 60,000 seats and 60 suites, The Associated Press has learned.
The Bills’ proposal includes a timeline for construction with a completion date pegged for no later than 2027.