What It Means:

Newton lost the quarterback battle to rookie Mac Jones and the Patriots apparently didn't feel like the former MVP was worth keeping on the roster. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe said releasing Newton "was the only way to make this Mac Jones' team and give him the space he needs to become the leader." The Patriots' wide receivers should benefit from Jones starting and the release of Newton also reduces the risk of Damien Harris from being vultured at the goal line. Newton, 32, averaged a career-low 177.1 passing yards per game last year while throwing 8 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games.

Newton registered a career-low 2.2% passing touchdown rate last year, which ranked second-worst in the NFL among quarterbacks who averaged at least 14.0 attempts per game. Newton also ranked 27th in Passing Net Expected Points per drop back, out of 32 quarterbacks with at least 300 drop backs.