THE DROP-BACK: Wednesday September 1 - Pats say goodbye to cam newton

patriots

The New England Patriots made probably the most shocking cut of the offseason, releasing their "starting" quarterback Cam Newton and deciding to roll with the rookie Mac Jones. While there was a good debate over who would win the starting job, everyone assumed that Newton would be his back-up? Unfortunately, that's not the case. Despite various reports that Newton had a great camp (I mean, everyone has a 'great camp,' don't they?), Jones ended up having a greater one, with the strong ability as a rookie to translate skill to in-game action.

Many people questioned the other reasons behind the Patriots' cutting ties with Newton, precisely his unwillingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine. That played into the decision as well, although Bill Belichick​ hasn't come out and said it.

There wasn't just one reason that Cam Newton is gone. It was a combination of at least three, I'm told: Mac Jones' emergence, Newton's vaccination stance (which caused a bit of a stir behind the scenes) and Cam's uninspiring performance this summer.

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 31, 2021

steelers

While Ben Roethlisberger is presumed to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback heading into the season (until he gets hurt anyway), another QB who had no guarantees is also making the 53-man roster. Dwayne Haskins, who was famously drafted by the Washington Football Team to be their future and didn't hold up to the job, is set to be the No. 3 QB for the team.

#Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins, the former WFT first-rounder, is expected to make the initial roster in Pittsburgh, sources say. A cool story, as Haskins worked his way back and has earned it.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021

saints

Jameis Winston was named the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints over the weekend, and it was pretty clear to everyone, including head coach Sean Payton. "Jameis is going to be our starter. He's done a great job. He's earned that."

texans

While he's not expected to play this season, quarterback Deshaun Watson was not traded by the Houston Texans before Tuesday's deadline. Instead, they're hoping to make him inactive every week in 2021. And that's all I have to say about that.

The #Texans are not expected to trade QB Deshaun Watson before today’s 4 pm cut down day deadline, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Barring a dramatic turn, Houston is now positioned to keep him into the regular season — at least.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021

eagles

Despite the better option clearly being Joe Flacco, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that Jalen Hurts​ will be the starter in Week One. It can still happen, I'm not giving up. 

Nick on Jalen Hurts:

"Jalen knows nobody else got any reps with the 1's so you could really argue that we named our starter a while ago. ... Jalen's our starter. I consistently saw a player that got better every single day. He did exactly what we wanted him to do."

— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) August 31, 2021

- other notes -

• Panthers cut Will Grier.
• Cowboys waive Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert.
• Colts release Brett Hundley.
• Saints are releasing Trevor Siemian, but have plans to re-sign him to the practice squad.
• Vikings waive Jake Browning.
• Steelers add Josh Dobbs to injured reserve.
• The Jets keep Mike White as the only backup to rookie ​Zach Wilson​.