New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has denied that Cam Newton’s refusal to get vaccinated played a factor in his release, and added his own skepticism over the injection to boot.
Newton, a former NFL MVP, replaced franchise legend Tom Brady last season, but was cut on Tuesday, clearing the way for first-round pick Mac Jones to get the nod at quarterback. The 32-year-old Newton started each of New England’s three preseason games, but also missed practice time due to what the team described as a ‘misunderstanding’ about the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols.
NFL players who have received the injection are no longer subject those strict COVID-19 protocols, such as mandatory five-day quarantines for coming into contact with an infected person. There had been speculation in the media that Newton’s refusal to get vaccinated hurt his standing within the team and made him undesirable as a backup behind Jones.
When asked during a video press conference Wednesday morning if Newton was cut because he refused to get vaccinated, the famously tight-lipped Belichick simply said, ‘no.’
Belichick did not offer any further explanation as to why Newton was cut, but offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels referred to the ‘business side of our game’ when asked about the move.
Newton signed a reported one-year, $5 million contact with the team in March after going 7-8 as a starter in 2020. However, he leaves New England with only his $1.5 million base salary and a $2 million signing bonus, which are subject to offsets if he signs elsewhere, according to Pro Football Talk. The Patriots saved at least $1.5 million with the move, but did incur a $3.6 million salary cap penalty, limiting their ability to sign other free agents.
Interestingly, Newton could feasibly re-sign with the Patriots at a lower price if he fails to draw interest as a free agent.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick (right) has denied that Cam Newton’s refusal to get vaccinated played a factor in his release, and added his own skepticism over the injection to boot
Cam Newton (right) , a former NFL MVP, replaced franchise legend Tom Brady last season, but was cut on Tuesday, clearing the way for first-round pick Mac Jones (left) to get the nod at quarterback. The 32-year-old Newton started each of New England’s three preseason games, but also missed practice time due to what the team described as a ‘misunderstanding’ about the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols
Another reason for Newton’s exit may have been the progress of Jones, a first-round pick out of Alabama who completed 69 percent (36 of 52) of his preseason passes for 389 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
Newton signed a reported one-year, $5 million deal with the Patriots in March after going 7-8 last season as New England’s starter while tossing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight). However, only his $1.5 million base salary is guaranteed.
Belichick also expressed his own doubt about the vaccine to reporters.
‘Your implication that the vaccination solves every problem…has not been substantiated,’ he said, as quoted by NFL Network’s Michael Giardi. ‘The number of players and coaches and staff members who have been infected with COVID after being vaccinated is a pretty high number. I wouldn’t lose sight of that.’
Currently over 92 percent of NFL players and more than 99 percent of team staff are vaccinated, according to the league.
However, some vocal holdouts have criticized the NFL for refusing to to loosen COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players.
The NFL Players Association has launched an investigation in response to Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer’s admission that players’ vaccination statuses were factored into final roster cuts
Now the NFL Players Association has launched an investigation in response to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer’s admission that players’ vaccination statuses were factored into final roster cuts.
NFLPA spokesman George Atallah confirmed the union’s action in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday night.
Hours earlier, Meyer told reporters: ‘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.’
The NFL hasn’t mandated COVID-19 vaccines, but for unvaccinated players, the strict protocols of the 2020 season remain in place, including mask and distancing requirements, as well as daily testing.
What’s more costly – particularly for players on the periphery of NFL rosters – is a mandatory five-day quarantine for unvaccinated players who come into close contact with anyone infected with COVID-19. So even if players test negative for COVID-19, they could miss crucial playing time if they’re unvaccinated, due to contact tracing.
DeMaurice Smith the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association speaks during the NFLPA press conference on January 30. The NFLPA is looking into comments made by Jaguars coach Urban Meyer about players’ vaccination statuses