Despite drafting Mac Jones in the first round, Bill Belichick says Cam Newton is still the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots.

The Patriots went 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 last season.

"Cam's our quarterback," Belichick said after the pick. "Whatever time Jarrett [Stidham] or Mac [Jones] are ready to challenge and compete, then we'll see how that goes."

The New England Patriots are still in the market for a quarterback and have reportedly been "doing a lot of homework" on Kyle Trask, according to a report.

Trask is projected to go in the middle rounds of this week's NFL Draft.

The Patriots have several picks in the third (No. 96) and fourth rounds (No. 120, No. 122, and No. 139).

New England is also looking at options for trading up in the first round to grab a quarterback.

The Detroit Lions and New England Patriots are the latest teams to say they will not formally report to their respective team facilities next week to begin voluntary offseason workouts.

The Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday announced their intentions to skip the workouts, while the Lions and "some of us" from the Patriots joined them in making the decision on Wednesday.

Offseason programs are scheduled to begin April 19 leaguewide, at which point daily testing for players and staff will commence.

The New England Patriots cut Julian Edelman just hours before he officially announced his retirement.

Cutting Edelman will allow the wide receiver to collect up to $2 million through the NFL's injury protection benefit.

If a player gets injured in one season and is physically unable to play the following season and then has his contract terminated before the following season starts, then the player is entitled to 100 percent of his base salary -- up to $2 million -- for the following year.

In Edelman's case, he got injured in 2020 and got cut with one year left on his deal with the presumption that he likely wasn't going to be able to play in 2021 due to his injury.

He was set to make $2.8 million in base salary.

The New England Patriots have released Julian Edelman following a failed physical.

Edelman subsequently announced he will retire from the NFL.

Julian Edelman was limited to just six games in 2020 and it's doubtful he'll be able to play an entire season for the New England Patriots because of his troublesome knee.

Surgery has provided Edelman with temporary relief, but nothing will be able to solve the underlying problem.

The health of the knee could truly be a game-to-game situation in 2021.

Robert Kraft, who spent an NFL-record $165 million in guaranteed money in free agency, said the New England Patriots' recent drafts have fallen short and a turnaround will be critical for future sustained success.

"In the end, if you want to have a good, consistent, winning football team, you can't do it in free agency. You have to do it through the draft. I don't feel we've done the greatest job the last few years and I really hope, and I believe, I've seen a different approach this year," Kraft said.

The Patriots, who finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008, have 10 picks in this year's draft (April 29-May 1).