Mac Jones and Cam Newton are in a heated quarterback battle as preseason progresses, with no clear sign of who’s winning.
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The Patriots made the decision to sign Cam Newton last season to temporarily fill the void at the quarterback position after Tom Brady left. There was also hope that under a great coaching scheme centered around him, Newton would be able to find his way back to being one of the top quarterbacks in the league.
Covid and a lack of options to throw to threw that plan out the window, but the Pats still gave Newton a second chance, signing him this NFL offseason. However, they were also looking out for their future as they drafted Mac Jones 15th overall. Jones had an impressive preseason debut, but does that mean he’ll start?
My goodness. Mac Jones put this ball right on Kristian Wilkerson’s hands (and only where the WR could catch it). 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/odjmGeahQP
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) August 13, 2021
Will Mac Jones Or Cam Newton Start For The Patriots In NFL Week 1? Aquib Talib Locks In Cam To Colin Cowherd According Based On Bill Belichick And His Values
Cam Newton has a lot to prove this season as he tries to hold of Mac Jones for the starting spot. If Newton can turn in an impressive year, there’s a real chance that Jones may not see the field at all as a rookie.
Of course, the Patriots have drafted him to be the quarterback of the future for them, so it’s not like he’ll never start, but when he does is entirely contingent on how Newton plays.
However, according to Aquib Talib, that isn’t the case. Talib sat down with Colin Cowherd to discuss who he thinks will be the Patriots quarterback. Who’d he pick? Cam Newton? Why? Leadership abilities, a trait that Pats head coach Bill Belichick loves.
“It’s sh*t like that that Bill respect” — @AqibTalib21 to @ColinCowherd on why Bill Belichick will choose Cam Newton over Mac Jones pic.twitter.com/MSyLOrkpuh
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) August 17, 2021
Talib does make a point here. Jones may be the flashier, more attractive option, but Newton has years and years of experience you can’t take away. He’s been an NFL MVP and made an appearance in the Super Bowl. He certainly has a leg up on Jones when it comes to leadership, and that’ll be key early on for the Pats who are bringing in a lot of new faces.
There’s still some time to go before Belichick commits either way to a starting quarterback, but it does feel like Cam will be the option in week 1.