One of the critical moments in the Cam Newton-Mac Jones competition this summer was when Newton missed five days the week of the final preseason game due to what the team called a COVID-19 testing "misunderstanding."
Here's what the Patriots said on the matter: “On Saturday, Cam Newton traveled to a Club-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area. He received daily Covid tests, which were all negative. Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam will be subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility. Cam will continue participating virtually in team activities and return to the club facility on Thursday, August 26.”
In a tell-all video on his release from the Patriots, Newton gave his side of the story in which he said he went to Atlanta that weekend to get his foot checked out by his doctor one last time ahead of the season, and he had no reason to believe he was violating any rules.
“Let’s go backwards to being away from the team for those five days: They gave me clearance to go," Newton said. "So, I don’t want nobody to think they I just went. I’m owed a second opinion. That’s just a fact. The trip was necessary because this was the last time I felt that I was going to have an opportunity to get a second opinion. Not to say the personnel with the Patriots wasn’t coherent to telling me everything I needed to know, but having four eyes on it is better than having two eyes on it -- in my opinion. It wasn’t that I was having any issues or pain, I just wanted to do a check-up with in essence the person who diagnosed me with the Lisfranc. I felt obligated to check back in with like a six-month review, or …
"I crossed all the lines. I checked all the boxes. I dotted all my I’s and then to find out that I had to sit out, that’s when I kind of felt bamboozled because I’m like, ‘Y’all told me to go.’ It wasn’t like, ‘Cam, you know if you go you’re taking your own risk now.’ It was not that.”
Newton said he absolutely would not have gone if he knew he was going to have to miss five days.
With that being said, Newton said he believes even if that didn't happen, he wasn't winning the job.
“Do I think this would have happened without be being away from the team for five days? Honestly, yes," he said. "It was going to happen. Did it help ease the decision? Yes.”
Click here to read more from the tell-all video.
