The Patriots released quarterback Cam Newton Tuesday, and rookie Mac Jones will be the starter, according to an NFL source.
Newton, who missed three days of practice last week because of COVID protocols, was the presumed starting quarterback throughout training camp and the Patriots’ three preseason games. Instead, the Patriots will go with Jones, who was drafted in the first round out of Alabama in April.
“I really appreciate all the love and support during this time but I must say please don’t feel sorry for me!! #i’mgood,” Newton wrote on his verified Instagram account on Tuesday morning.
Jones finished the exhibition season 36 of 52 for 388 yards and a score, but was diplomatic when asked about the starting job after Sunday’s victory over the Giants.
“I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities to play and I can improve on everything I want to improve on,” he said. “So I think just learning from [Brian] Hoyer, Cam, Jarrett [Stidham], anyone I can, and listening to Josh [McDaniels] and his coaching, there’s a lot of work to do, but I think I’ve made progress. But, honestly, the only thing that matters is today.”
Newton was 14 of 21 for 162 yards with a TD and an interception in the three preseason games.
After the Patriots selected Jones 15th overall in the draft, coach Bill Belichick immediately called Newton “our quarterback,” and Newton played with the starting units in his preseason appearances.
In March, the Patriots signed Newton to a one-year deal worth a maximum of $13.6 million. Only $3.5 million was fully guaranteed, per a copy of the contract obtained by the Globe. His salary-cap number was about $5.4 million.
Newton received a $2 million signing bonus and had a fully guaranteed base salary of $1.5 million. He also had a $100,000 offseason workout bonus. He could have made up to $1.5 million in per-game roster bonuses (over $88,000 for every game he is active).
The Patriots also have quarterbacks Hoyer and Stidham on the roster, which must be trimmed to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Jones, who won a national championship at Alabama, now will be thrust into the spotlight as the starter as the Patriots prepare for their season opener Sept. 12 vs. the Miami Dolphins.
“If he’s earned the respect of Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, then he has my respect,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores told reporters Tuesday. “He was a very good college player. Did a lot of great things there.
“We’ll have our hands full with him and the whole team.”
In his meeting with reporters Tuesday before the news about Newton’s release emerged, Belichick was asked how he would characterize Newton’s performance in training camp this summer.
“I feel like everybody’s way ahead of where they were last year. Certainly, he started at a much higher point than what he did last year, so definitely moving in the right direction,” Belichick said.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
