Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said on Wednesday that Cam Newton's vaccination status did not contribute to his release from New England.
Newton, 32, was released by the Patriots on Tuesday ahead of his second season with the franchise. He missed practice time earlier in August after a "misunderstanding about tests conducted away from NFL facilities," per a team announcement. Newton was held out of New England's facilities during a five-day entry process, a protocol only designated for unvaccinated players.
"No. Look, you guys keep talking about that," Belichick told reporters Wednesday when asked about Newton's vaccination status.