Cam Newton hasn't been told he's starter for Week 1

It's been widely assumed since the spring that veteran and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton will start at quarterback for the New England Patriots over first-round draft pick Mac Jones when the Pats open the regular season on Sept. 12. 

However, Newton told reporters Monday he hasn't been promised the starting role by head coach Bill Belichick heading into Thursday's preseason matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles. 

"Y’all sitting up here asking silly questions to me and I’m looking at y’all with the same thing. I don’t know what y’all want me to say," Newton answered when asked about his status on the depth chart, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. 

"You know, you know that. You know he hasn’t said that, so for you to just ask the question, it is what it is." 

Newton added: "As far as Week 1, we’ve got so much to worry about prior to Week 1. And that’s where my focus is right now." 

Jones completed 13 of 19 passes for 87 yards in his preseason debut against the Washington Football Team this past Thursday, and Newton raised eyes the following day when he took to Instagram to say he deserves "loyalty." 

Jones will eventually start a meaningful game under center for New England, but the date for that occurrence remains a mystery to everybody but maybe Belichick.