Cam Newton comes to Mac Jones’ defense

Cam Newton lost his starting spot as New England’s starting quarterback when the Patriots chose rookie Mac Jones for that spot at the end of the 2021 NFL preseason.

But in the debut of his video series “4th and 1,” the former Auburn All-American came to the defense of the former Alabama All-American.

In the opener of his third season as New England’s QB, Jones completed 35-of-54 passes for 316 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 10.

Former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said, “Peashooter Jones looked good” while reviewing the game in his current position as an NFL analyst for ESPN.

For that remark, Newton gave Ryan the “4th and 1″ questionable call for the week.

“Rex Ryan, questionable call goes to you,” Newton said. “Bro, you sound like a hater. Giving somebody a backhanded compliment. What was it? Like, the Peashooter, the Peashooter looked good? Come on, bro. It’s like let’s have some grace. Granted, you know you took a couple of L’s to New England, but you also gave them a couple of L’s. It’s a little bitterness from your days back in the Jets. It’s just giving hater, big dog.

“And you know what? Another thing, just to add, I really want to speak for the players, too. We only get judged on Sundays, but it’s hard, bro, being in the NFL, so what we really want to say is, ‘Man, shut your ass up.’”

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After winning the Heisman Trophy for Auburn’s undefeated 2010 BCS national-championship team, Newton entered the NFL as the first pick in the 2011 draft. In nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Newton set the NFL record for career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, became the franchise’s all-time passing leader and won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2011 and NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 2015.

After being released by the Panthers following a two-game season caused by a foot injury, Newton worked as New England’s starting quarterback in 2020.

After deciding on Jones as their starter in 2021, the Patriots released Newton. He later returned to the Panthers for eight games, including five starts, in the 2021 season. He has not played since, but he said on “4th and 1″ that he’s keeping his phone close.

“4th and 1″ is scheduled to post every Wednesday during the NFL season on Newton’s YouTube channel.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.