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The New England Patriots have released quarterback Cam Newton, handing the starting job to rookie Mac Jones.
Jones impressed in preseason - he played 107 snaps and went 36-of-52 for 389 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions - earning the respect of his team-mates.
More importantly he earned the nod from head coach Bill Belichick, who once again held true to a favourite mantra: 'Dependability is more important than ability'.
Mac Jones will be 23 on September 5 and will play his first NFL game seven days later
Jones, the 15th overall pick of this year's draft, is the new face of the New England Patriots
Newton, 32, missed three practices last week because of what the team called a 'misunderstanding' of Covid protocols.
After attending a team-approved medical meeting in Atlanta last week, he partook in a five-day process that only unvaccinated players undertake.
He has in the past declined to say whether he has been vaccinated, saying the issue was 'too personal'.
Newton, the No 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, joined New England on a one-year deal in March 2020 after nine seasons in Carolina.
He signed another one-year deal in March and leaves with
