AFC Notes: Cam Newton, Patriots, Jets

Cam Newton

It hasn’t been the season the Patriots, QB Cam Newton and most outside observers expected when New England ended Newton’s long wait in free agency in June. Newton’s passing statistics have been ugly and the team will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008. However, Patriots S Devin McCourty said Newton has caught too much of the blame for New England’s regression this year.  

“I think it’s been kind of unfair for him some of the blame he’s had to take for the team. I think overall when you watch our team, it hasn’t been a Cam Newton-failed team. It’s been a team that’s failed,” McCourty said via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “We haven’t done the things we’ve needed to do in certain games. I think that’s what it comes down to, not just one player. I love the way he’s competed and been a leader on the team. I think that won’t change with the last two weeks. He’s going to continue to do that. Great energy every day. I think that’s helped us as a team. But obviously overall as a team, we just haven’t done enough. Not just him.”

Newton’s on just a one-year deal so the Patriots have a decision to make on him following this season. But if they don’t use the franchise tag, that means Newton also has a decision to make on if he views New England as the right fit for him going forward. He was more focused on the remainder of the season when asked about that, however. 

“I think the biggest thing is I’m just trying to maximize on the things that I know I have to prove. And that’s starting with Monday,” Newton said via Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. “That’s simple. I play this game for one reason, and that’s just to win. And we have an opportunity to win on Monday. Let’s just see how that goes.”

Jets

• Per SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, Jets HC Adam Gase said he hasn’t discussed his future with CEO Christopher Johnson: “Nothing I’m really worried about.”
• Gase said the Jets want to keep S Marcus Maye “in the organization” going forward. Maye is set to be a free agent this offseason. (Connor Hughes)
• Maye said he hasn’t had any contract talks with New York yet but he would be amenable to staying: “That conversation will be here at the end of the year…Any place that I’ve gone, I want to be there for a long time. You want stability. Everybody wants stability.” (Rich Cimini)

Patriots

• NESN’s Doug Kyed highlights Patriots offensive assistant Tyler Hughes as a name to watch as a potential internal promotion to QB coach. 
• Patriots K Nick Folk doesn’t plan to retire at the age of 36: “There’s no inkling in me that wants to stop. I want to keep going. I want to keep playing. I think I have a lot of leg left.” (Reiss)
• The Patriots are hosting K Roberto Aguayo for a tryout. (Aaron Wilson)