New England Patriots Release Cam Newton, Place Stephon Gilmore on PUP List

Tough day for all the Patriots fans as their team lost two big names with Cam Newton released and Stephon Gilmore unfit to play in the first part of the campaign.

The New England Patriots released the former NFL MVP Cam Newton earlier today. Various sources reported this news, and we are still awaiting the official confirmation of the team and the player.

This is a shocking turn of events, as the Pats signed a new deal with Newton in March this year, planning to stick with him for one more year. Not only that, but Bill Belichick confirmed that on several occasions, even after the NFL draft.

Breaking: The Patriots have released QB Cam Newton, as first reported by The Boston Globe and confirmed by @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/a1sO5djFT0

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 31, 2021

The 2015 NFL MVP and the Pats inked a deal worth up to $13.6 but with only $3.5 million fully guaranteed. His base salary was $1.5 million, and a signing bonus was an additional $2 million. Later on, Super Cam got a $100,000 bonus for an offseason workout.

As said, the reasons for this are still unknown. Newton appeared in three preseason matches, completing 14 of his 21 passing attempts for 162 yards, one TD, and one interception. He was out for three days during last week, due to COVID health and safety protocols, but other than that, there weren’t some other notable occurrences involving the veteran QB.

Meanwhile, Mac Jones was more than solid during the preseason, having 36 completed passes in 52 attempts, for 388 yards and one TD. What was also noticeable is that Jones felt comfortable on the field, not showing any signs of stage fright.

He was drafted as the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, getting out of Alabama as the CFP champion. He won the championship in 2017 as well, but last year’s title was with him as the team leader. Belichick wanted Jones from day one, and even though many predicted the young QB No.3 in the draft and future in San Francisco, the experienced head coach was patient and waited on the draft day to get his hands on the 22-year old.

The Pats now enter the season filled with new energy, and even though many believe this might be a risky move, Belichick’s assessments were usually right.

Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore to remain on PUP list, won’t play until Week 7. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/9mw66IgDTB

— NFL (@NFL) August 31, 2021

In the separate news, one of the best defensive players in the league, Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore, is placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List, meaning that he will miss the opening six matches of the season.

Gilmore is currently recovering from a quad surgery, which he had to undergo after tearing this muscle in Week 15 of the previous season.

This scenario means that we won’t see the 30-year old until Week 7, and the match with the New York Jets. Gilmore is in the last year of his contract, and is a part of the Pats since 2017. During that time, he became a Super Bowl champion, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time First-Team All-Pro. In 2019, Gilmore was the NFL interception co-leader.

JC Jackson will be the No.1 CB in New England, and the other starter will be Jalen Mills who arrive this summer.