The Facts: If Newton is to succeed Tom Brady as starting quarterback of the New England Patriots, he'll have to earn the job in training camp. HC Bill Belichick stopped decisively short Friday of naming Newton the team's QB1. "That spot is the same as all the other spots on the team. We have a long way to go. We'll see how things turn out," Belichick said in his first public remarks since Newton signed with the team. "I can't control how players perform; that's up to them. We'll give everyone an opportunity and see what happens. I don't know."

Diehards Line: Belichick has been consistent with that type of approach in his 20 seasons as Patriots coach, although there was no question who would be starting at quarterback once Brady seized the top job in 2001, helping the franchise to its first of six Super Bowl championships. Brady's free-agent departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March has created a mammoth void that Newton -- based on career résumé -- is the leading candidate to fill after agreeing to a one-year contract with the club in late June. Newton's primary competition will be 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham, a fellow Auburn alum. Brian Hoyer, an 11-year veteran, is also on the depth chart alongside undrafted free agent Brian Lewerke. Stidham served as the Patriots' top backup last season, and he helped organize throwing sessions with receivers in suburban Boston for several months in the offseason. Once Newton officially joined the Patriots, he connected with some of the team's pass-catchers in Los Angeles over the past month, such as Julian Edelman and 2019 first-round draft pick N'Keal Harry. But Newton, 31, has ground to make up after missing the team's virtual offseason program during the coronavirus pandemic.