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Patriots QBs Cam Newton, Mac Jones expected to play in preseason opener

James Fletcher IIIby: James Fletcher III08/12/21jdfletch3
Cam-Newton-Mac-Jones-Patriots-quarterback-expected-play-preseason-opener
John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

New England Patriots quarterbacks Cam Newton and Mac Jones are both expected to play in the preseason opener against the Washington Football Team Thursday, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The two have been battling for reps throughout training camp as the incumbent veteran looks to fight off the highly-rated rookie.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has remained mum about any separation between the two in training camp but did state previously that Newton is the starter.

Weighing the options

Newton is a former No. 1 overall pick for the Carolina Panthers a decade ago who signed a one-year deal to play quarterback for the Patriots in 2020. He finished the season with 2,657 passing yards with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, adding 592 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Newton also caught two passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.

The national championship-winning former Auburn signal caller re-signed with the Patriots this offseason to another one-year deal.

Meanwhile, Jones was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and the fifth quarterback taken. He only started one full season at Alabama but was able to claim a national championship and be named a consensus All-American. Jones threw for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions in 13 games.

The total number of snaps each quarterback will take in the game remains undecided as Belichick plans for the future. The Patriots also plan to hold joint practices with the Eagles on Monday and Tuesday next week in Philadelphia.

“We’ll do what’s best for this game and then kind of go from there,” Belichick said this week. “The joint practice days, they count for something.”

Other storylines

The other big storyline surrounding the Patriots quarterback room was the anticipation for Jones’ jersey number reveal on Thursday. The rookie wore No. 50 throughout training camp but once games begin, quarterbacks can only wear numbers 1-19.

The Patriots made his move officially early Thursday when they released the numbers given to all rookie players this season. Jones will wear his signature No. 10 jersey which he used in high school and college.

Free agent additions Jonnu Smith, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor will make their debuts in a Patriots jersey on Thursday as well, adding to an offense which finished No. 30 in passing yards last season and tied for No. 31 in passing touchdowns. Former Chargers tight end Hunter Henry will not make his debut after suffering a shoulder injury in practice recently.

New England plays two more preseason games against the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants on the road before opening the season at home against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12.

Image courtesy of John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images