Newton recalls Patriots tenure

Cam Newton only played one season with the Patriots, but it didn’t take long for the former NFL MVP to feel like a true Bostonian.

During the latest episode of his “4th & 1” YouTube show, Newton discussed his tenure with the Patriots, and acknowledged that his hectic schedule weighed on him.

“My workload in a given day was ridiculous,” Newton said. “I would leave the facility around like 8 and 9 p.m. and be back in the facility at like, 4:35 [a.m.].”

The taxing prep work and practice schedules carried over with Newton’s short reign as QB1. But Newton’s hectic routine in Foxborough wasn’t aided by the brutal traffic he had to endure while commuting from the city.

“Then I would have to drive back to Boston. That was gonna be like 45 minutes to an hour, depending on what traffic was even at that time at night — or early in the morning,” Newton said. “I was like, damn.”

Newton led the Patriots to a 7-9 record during the 2020 season, throwing eight touchdown passes and 10 interceptions while rushing for 592 yards and scoring 10 TDs.

Even though Newton noted the daily grind was unlike anything he experienced in the

NFL, he credited then-quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch (now head coach at the University of Washington) for helping him stay focused.

“It’s an art,” Newton said. “It’s not for everybody. Because there’s a reason why they were a dynasty for so long. It’s because they created a way that was a proven product.”

Rams’ Donald retiring

Aaron Donald spent 10 years flattening quarterbacks, crushing ball carriers, fighting through perpetual double-teams and generally wrecking NFL offenses. He was relentless, reliable and infinitely resourceful while he led the Rams all the way to a Super Bowl championship.

And Friday, Donald, 32, decided a decade of dominance was enough.

The most accomplished defensive lineman of his generation has retired after a stellar 10year career.

The three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made his somewhat surprising announcement on social media. He doesn't plan to have a retirement news conference or any public farewell, but his impact on the Rams and the NFL is already indelible.

Garoppolo to Rams

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo signed with the Rams as the backup to Matthew

Stafford.

Safety Kamren Curl also agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Rams.

Garoppolo, 32, was released Wednesday by the Raiders after one disappointing season. He is best known to Rams fans from his years with the archrival 49ers from 2017-22, during which he went 8-0 as a starter against Los Angeles in the regular season.

Steelers deal Pickett

The brief and tumultuous Kenny Pickett era in Pittsburgh is over. The Steelers are trading the quarterback to the Eagles, multiple sources told the Associated Press. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and two seventh-round choices in the 2025 draft in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh's fourth-round pick this year . . . Mike Vrabel will be working in the NFL after all this fall. The former Titans head coach, fired in January after consecutive losing seasons, landed as an analyst and personnel consultant for the Browns . . . The Vikings acquired Houston's first-round pick in a pre-draft trade, giving them the 11th and 23rd overall selections as potential capital toward their next quarterback.