New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick decisively asked why he wasn’t changing quarterbacks by pulling Newton at the start of the Los Angeles Rams ’24-3 road loss in the fourth quarter on Thursday night.
“Kichm is our quarterback,” Belichick said at his postgame news conference, cutting off the question to answer.
As the Patriots offense erupted once again, Newton finished 9-of-16 for 119 yards against the Rams, returning 79 yards for a touchdown with a costly hurdle.
He was replaced by Jarrett Stidham with 10 minutes, 14 seconds left and the Patriots trailing 24-3.
Todd Burnett was the top candidate for the 2019 fourth-round draft selection stadium, before Newton signed a one-year contract on July 8 to replace Tom Braddie at the start of the season.
Asked why he wouldn’t go to the stadium now, and what Newton has shown by Belichick for his sticking, Belichick simply said: “That’s our quarterback, I think I gave the same answer.”
The Patriots (7-.) Still have thin barriers to qualifying for the post ason, with ESPN’s Football Football Power Index giving them %%. They visit the Miami Dolphins (8-4) on Sunday, December 20, before concluding with back-to-back home games against the Buffalo Bills (-3–3) and the New York Jets (0-14).
Speaking of Newton, he has been the most effective as a Rusher this season, carrying a total of 451 yards 11 touchdowns in 113 overs. But while opponents limited Newton’s running yards, and extended the Patriots’ overall running game, the offense couldn’t consistently move the ball in the air.
When Newton was asked if he was worried about being replaced, he said, “This is not my call. I do what I want to say, with a mindset of getting better, and I’m thinking of continuing to do the same.”
With five touchdowns and 10 interceptions, Newton is now 199-of-301 for 2,172 yards passing through the season.
He, along with Belichick, pulling Newton twice, 31, in the late damage, of late, raises questions about a possible change.
Asked if he was happy with the development of the stadium and what he has seen from him this season, Belichick said: “Yes. Jarrett has worked hard. He has tried to take advantage of his opportunities. But that’s not really the issue.”
Newton has been playing with a stomach injury in the last two games but said he is not affecting him on the field.
“We’ve just gotten better and it starts with me personally,” he said. “Just have to do more plays, and that’s what comes down.”
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