A former New England Patriots player offered some insight as to why Mac Jones was named the starting quarterback for the Patriots and Cam Newton was released.

“Mac was basically helping Cam learn the playbook,” former defensive end/linebacker Rob Ninkovich said during his radio show, via a post on Tik Tok.

It is obviously a bit strange for Jones to be helping Newton. Jones is a rookie. Newton signed with the Patriots before last season and played extensively. But, Ninkovich cited a source in the New England building that said it was indeed the case:

https://www.tiktok.com/@danandninko/video/7003096142087081221?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8Y6YamcNGJzsQSYCM51c%2BxTFXT7aP6ePbjnEw0%2BybnACB3y0hfu%2FUSOVAttHRFl4JIbp6WnA73ogGrSLPGgA%3D&checksum=cc6d90f7709981f52e61e34754d606f307ce49708448ba8d9da56db93c1706c0&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAa8lekTPtQpXjFx97xN16vAPk7gMqwWeT93awS9PAG0fDonpxoc-1zr8QrZSZAoMD&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=7003096142087081221&share_link_id=1B707B3E-A38E-4F99-B630-ADABA7CB3BD4&source=h5_m&timestamp=1630756449&tt_from=copy&u_code=dda8ll55maf200&user_id=6847261819104658437&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&_r=1&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6915810172499002886

Jones, who played for Alabama, didn’t let college rivalries get in the way. Newton, who played for Auburn, has yet to sign with an NFL team. Newton’s release was a bit sudden and very surprising when the team announced the move. Some even thought Newton might still be named the starter as Jones was being groomed. Despite Jones’ best effort to help Newton, that didn’t end up being the case.