One thing Cam Newton made clear in his tell-all YouTube video on his release from the Patriots was that he believes rookie Mac Jones is going to be successful.
“They’re going to win football games with Mac Jones," he said.
Newton's dad, Cecil, pointed out that the team would also win with him at quarterback.
“That’s a fact, too," he said. "But, I don’t want the audience to think he’s only saying that just because he’s not there no more. No, like Mac is good enough. I think when they selected him the selection that they picked him, they wanted to find out a couple of things. One of those things they wanted to find out was is he capable of leading this offense to be productive?”
The 32-year-old pointed out Jones has had five months to learn the offense ahead of Week 1, where as he had five weeks last year.
“That’s five months," Newton said, counting the months since the draft. "I had five weeks to get prepared for Week 1. Five weeks compared to five months, I was still learning during the season. If you compare and contrast what five months [is], we’re into December to catch up in the thick of the season.”
Newton said he would have taken a backup role, but he believes that would not have been in Jones' best interest.
“The reason why they released me was because indirectly, I was going to be a distraction — without being the starter," he said. "Just my aura. That’s my gift. That’s my curse. When you bring a Cam Newton to your facility, when you bring Cam Newton to your franchise, people are interested.”
Newton added: "The truth of the matter is this: He would've been uncomfortable. He would've. And they knew, and it comes by mere fact of me being me."
Jones and the Patriots will take on Miami this weekend, while Newton remains a free agent.
