Newton and Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu were confirmed to have tested positive the day before Sunday's showdown, continuing a concerning week for the competition after the Tennessee Titans' clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers was postponed two days earlier.

The game between the Titans and the Steelers, which was the first postponement since the return of the NFL during the pandemic, will be rearranged for later in the season, but officials have initially said that the Patriots and Chiefs will meet on Monday or Tuesday.

The decision not to play the game on Sunday came after the Chiefs expressed concerns over Newton's teammates traveling by plane so soon after his positive test.

Fans reacted with shock after Newton, who has been tipped by some to challenge for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, was ruled out to leave his team with the replacement options of 2019 fourth-round draft pick Jarrett Stidham or journeyman Brian Hoyer, a player ten years Stidham's senior at 34.

They also speculated that the positive tests for either side could be a signal of further bad news to come, as proved the case when 16 Tennessee players and staff members ultimately tested positive.

"NFL can't go on like that," said actor Reggie Watkins.

"That entire [Patriots] game is now a washout.