Free agent QB Cam Newton does NOT believe Patriots cut him because he's unvaccinated, but thinks his 'aura' would have been a distraction to rookie starter Mac Jones 

• Free agent quarterback and former NFL MVP Cam Newton disagrees with speculation that the Patriots cut him over his refusal to get vaccinated
• Newton said Friday morning in a 45-minute YouTube Live video with his father, Cecil, that he was willing to be a backup to rookie starter Mac Jones
• However, the 32-year-old Newton thinks the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick saw him as a potential distraction: 'Just my aura. That's my gift and my curse'
• Newton has been criticized for dancing to rap music during practice by former Patriots QB and Boston media personality Scott Zolak, who later apologized 

Free agent quarterback Cam Newton disagrees with speculation that the New England Patriots cut him over his refusal to get vaccinated, instead claiming that he was released because his 'aura' would be distracting to rookie starter Mac Jones.  

'This had nothing to do with no vaccination,' Newton said during a 45-minute YouTube Live video to his father, Cecil, at his former Atlanta-area high school. 

Earlier in the interview with Cecil, Newton said he was willing to be a backup to Jones, a first-round pick out of Alabama, but that he believes the team saw him as a potential distraction. 

'The reason why they released me is because, indirectly, I was going to be a distraction, without being a starter,' Newton said. 'Just my aura. That's my gift and my curse.'

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Newton has been criticized for dancing to rap music during practice by former Patriots quarterback and Boston sports media personality Scott Zolak, who later apologized for the remark. 

The former Heisman Trophy winner also admitted he was 'absolutely' surprised to be released by coach Bill Belichick.  

The 32-year-old Newton recently missed five days due to a COVID-19 protocol violation when he made a trip that the team described on August 26 as a 'club-approved medical appointment that required him to leave the New England area.'

'Due to a misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities, and as required by the NFL-NFLPA protocols, Cam was subject to the five-day entry cadence process before returning to the facility,' read the statement. 

Vaccinated NFL players are no longer subject to strict COVID-19 protocols, such as mandatory five-day quarantines. There had been speculation in the media that Newton's refusal to get vaccinated hurt his standing within the team and made him undesirable as a backup behind Jones. 

However, Newton does not believe his recent five-game absence had anything to do with the decision. Instead, Newton said he would have been released regardless.

'During that time, I started seeing signs of change,' Newton said. .'.. Do I think this would have happened without me being away from the team for five days? Honestly, yes. It was going to happen. Did it help ease the decision? Yes.'

Newton said he 'absolutely' would have accepted a backup role behind Mac Jones, however he questioned whether the rookie first-round pick would have been comfortable with that situation.

'Let me be honest with you. If they would have asked me, ''Cam, we're going to give the team to Mac, you're going to be second-string; we expect you to be everything and some to guide him throughout this tenure,'' I would have said, ''Absolutely,'' Newton said. 'But listen, the truth of the matter is this: He would have been uncomfortable.'

Belichick has also denied that the decision to release Newton had anything to do with his vaccination status.  

Newton signed a reported one-year, $5 million contact with the team in March after going 7-8 as a starter in 2020 while throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight). 

However, he leaves New England with only his $1.5 million base salary and a $2 million signing bonus, which are subject to offsets if he signs elsewhere, according to Pro Football Talk. The Patriots saved at least $1.5 million with the move, but did incur a $3.6 million salary cap penalty, limiting their ability to sign other free agents.

Interestingly, Newton could feasibly re-sign with the Patriots at a lower price if he fails to draw interest as a free agent. His agent did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

Another reason for Newton's exit may have been the progress of Jones, a first-round pick out of Alabama who completed 69 percent (36 of 52) of his preseason passes for 389 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

Newton signed a reported one-year, $5 million deal with the Patriots in March after going 7-8 last season as New England's starter while tossing more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight). However, only his $1.5 million base salary is guaranteed.

He did not complain about his release on social media, and pleaded with fans that he's going to be fine.

'I really appreciate all the love and support during this time, but I must say please don't feel sorry for me!! #imGOOD,' Newton posted on Instagram Tuesday.

Belichick also expressed his own doubt about the vaccine to reporters on September 1.

'Your implication that the vaccination solves every problem...has not been substantiated,' he said, as quoted by NFL Network's Michael Giardi. 'The number of players and coaches and staff members who have been infected with COVID after being vaccinated is a pretty high number. I wouldn't lose sight of that.'

Currently over 92 percent of NFL players and more than 99 percent of team staff are vaccinated, according to the league.

However, some vocal holdouts have criticized the NFL for refusing to to loosen COVID-19 protocols for unvaccinated players.