Belichick denies Patriots cut former MVP Cam Newton due to vaccination status

• Quarterback had been competing for starter's job
• Meyer says vaccines affected Jaguars' roster cuts

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has denied the team cut former NFL MVP Cam Newton because of his vaccine status.

Newton had been competing with rookie Mac Jones for the starting quarterback role in preseason. The news of Newton's release came as somewhat of a surprise after Belichick said earlier this week that Newton was going in the right direction". Newton was guaranteed $3.5m on his contract this year and, even though injuries have diminished him, he would have still been an asset as a back up.