O.J. Simpson weighs in on Cam Newton’s release, the Patriots decision to start Mac Jones

O.J. Simpson has chimed in on the release of Cam Newton by the New England Patriots.

Newton, who is unvaccinated, was found to have violated the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols on Aug. 23 and was forced to miss 5 days of training camp. On Tuesday, the veteran, who started for New England in 2020, was cut, paving the way for rookie Mac Jones to be the starter in 2021.

Simpson took to Twitter to address Newton’s failure to get vaccinated.

“I just don’t get why any quarterback in the NFL, as important as they are to their team, won’t go and get the shot,” he said. “You’re exposed to the public…It just seems like it would be almost impossible not to get exposed at some point during the year, and your team just can’t afford you sitting out those 5 days.”

While Simpson admitted that he was a “little surprised” by the release of Newton, he felt that once the former NFL MVP was forced to be withheld from training camp for 5 days, the job was essentially Jones’ to lose, with Simpson calling Jones “spectacular”.

“I don’t think Cam is cut out to be the backup,” Simpson said. “I think as long as he’s fighting for the job, he’s going to be positive and on the sideline. Knowing he’s a backup and has no chance of getting in the game unless (Jones) gets hurt, because I don’t see (him) playing himself out of the position.”

Backup is not in Cam’s nature. pic.twitter.com/AZRolj8Ld1

— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) August 31, 2021

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.