Cam Newton opens up following his release from the Patriots

Cam Newton’s release from the New England Patriots caught many by surprise. Even Newton himself, who spoke about his time with the Patriots on an episode of his YouTube show ‘FÜNKY FRIDÂ¥ With Cam Newton’.

“Did it catch me by surprise being released? Absolutely,” Newton said. “Do I think this would have happened without me being away from the team for five days? Honestly, yes, it was going to happen. Did it help ease the decision? Yes.”

Newton’s excursion from the team’s facilities came because of a doctors appointment in Atlanta, where he was receiving a second opinion on his recovery from a 2019 Lisfranc injury. The Patriots gave Newton clearance to receive that second opinion but “misunderstood” the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols, leading to a five days absence from their starting quarterback. That was where many think Jones was able to supplant Newton from the starting gig. Newton believes the wheels where already set in motion.

“When I look back at it, i was probably getting two reps to his 10 reps. That’s when it started to make sense,” said Newton. “Even when I started, that doesn’t necessarily mean nothing and that’s where they did a good job of disguising it - ‘Cam took first team reps today.’”

Despite his long list of accomplishments and history as a starter in the NFL, Newton says he would have taken a backup role. “I would have said absolutely, yeah. The truth of the matter is [Mac Jones] would have been uncomfortable.”

That is where Newton believes the decision of releasing him came from.

“The reason why they released me, is because indirectly I would have been a distraction,” Newton said. “Just my aura [would have been a distraction] . . . that’s my gift and my curse.”

When asked by his father what was next: Newton focused on family. He said he would enjoy spending time with them into September for the first time in over a decade. He also reiterated that he believes that he has a lot of football left. “I said it once and I’ll say it again, there’s not 32 guys better than me.”