March 2017 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Mike McCarthy: Aaron Rodgers Can Play As Long As Tom Brady

Mar 30, 2017 9:01 AM

After Robert Kraft said earlier this week that Tom Brady would like to play six or seven more years, Mike McCarthy made the case for Aaron Rodgers to enjoy similar longevity.

Rodgers, 33, first indicated last offseason that he started to think of ways to extend his career.

"I mean mentally and physically, clearly yes; he has that ability," McCarthy said of whether Rodgers could play into his 40s. "I think there's no question there. But I think all positions in football are the same. It's their legs. You watch a player -- and it's no different with quarterbacks -- as long as they have their legs, they can compete at that level."

McCarthy, whose background is as a quarterbacks coach, doesn't see any reason why Brady can't keep going.

"I think you can only go by what's on film and based on his last game, he will accomplish that," McCarthy said. "I would bet on that. But there's a lot of factors that go into that. I think you have to give these athletes an incredible amount of credit what they're doing. With the rest and recovery and nutrition, I think you're now seeing the decade of what it's provided. It's provided for guys to play longer, especially at that position."

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Seahawks Willing To Listen On Richard Sherman Trade Offers

Mar 29, 2017 3:49 PM

John Schneider wouldn't rule out the possibility of the Seattle Seahawks trading away Richard Sherman.

"I mean, we listen," Schneider said, via ESPN.com. "We listen to like everything you would think. We're in a lot of stuff. We try to pride ourselves on that. I think I've told you guys before we walk away from 98 percent of the deals that we're involved with or talking about.

"But at least we know that we've knocked down their door, we've gone in there and checked it out. We're not just going to assume. We always just have to constantly be thinking about the organization and how we're going to move it forward."

Pete Carroll admitted the Seahawks have received trade calls on Sherman.

"I don't see anything happening at all," Carroll said.

The New England Patriots were among the teams who contacted the Seahawks on Sherman.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Roger Goodell Says He'll Attend Season Opener In New England

Mar 30, 2017 9:07 AM

It has become tradition that the first game of the season is hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion, which means the 2017 opener will be at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Roger Goodell typically attends the first game of the season, but the commissioner has seemingly avoided a New England Patriots' home game since Deflategate began during the 2014 postseason.

"I plan to be at the kickoff game," Goodell said.

Curtis Crabtree/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Tom Brady Considering Playing Until He's 46

Mar 28, 2017 4:09 PM

Tom Brady believes he may be able to continue playing for several more seasons until he's 46 or 47 years old.

"As recently as 2-3 days ago, he assured me he'd be willing to play 6-7 more years and at the level he performed," Robert Kraft said Monday at the NFL's annual meeting. "There's no one that would be happier than I, and our fan base."

Brady turns 40 on Aug. 3, and the question of how much longer he'll play has been widely discussed and analyzed.

Steve DeBerg, Warren Moon and Vinny Testaverde, all at age 44, are the oldest quarterbacks to have been on an NFL roster, according to data tracked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. George Blanda played until he was 48, but was primarily a kicker late in his career.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Patriots, Saints Haven't Discussed Malcolm Butler Trade

Mar 22, 2017 10:53 AM

The New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints haven't discussed a trade centered around Malcolm Butler, according to a report.

The Patriots won't negotiate until Butler signs his restricted free agency tender.

It had been reported that the two teams considered adding Butler to the trade that sent Brandin Cooks to New England earlier this month, but the deal was completed without the cornerback.

Ian Rapoport/NFL

Tags: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Tom Brady's Super Bowl Jersey Found In Possession Of Media Member

Mar 20, 2017 8:08 PM

Tom Brady's stolen jersey from this year's Super Bowl has been recovered after being found in the possession of a member of the international media.

The jerseys were found in Mexico and currently are being authenticated by authorities, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said.

The Mexican Editorial Organization (OEM), a major newspaper publishing company, has identified the man allegedly involved in the case as Martin Mauricio Ortega, who was a director of one of its newspapers, Diario La Prensa, until he resigned last Tuesday.

"I am happy my jerseys from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved. I know they worked hard on this case -- and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience," Brady said in a statement released via his agent, Don Yee.

Darren Rovell, Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots

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Sean Payton Explains Why Saints Interested In Malcolm Butler

Mar 17, 2017 11:04 AM

Sean Payton spoke to why the New Orleans Saints have interest in Malcolm Butler.

"You know, coming out of a small town in Mississippi and through junior college and into West Alabama, it's pretty amazing," Payton told Xtra 360 radio in San Diego on Friday. "And the first three years he's had in this league, shoot, he's had a tremendous amount of success, winning two Super Bowls in three years and being a big part of a team that's accomplished a lot. So I'd say he's humble, but when you watch the tape, he plays with a chip on his shoulder.

Butler, who is a restricted free agent, visited the Saints on Wednesday and Thursday. The Saints are considering a contract offer for Butler and a possible trade with the Patriots.

"We've practiced with New England now in that three-year time frame twice, so there's a lot of additional practice tape that we have a chance to look closely at. And I'm sure Bill [Belichick] and his staff were the same way when evaluating [Brandin] Cooks."

Mike Triplett/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Patriots Believed To Genuinely Want To Keep Jimmy Garoppolo

Mar 16, 2017 10:00 PM

The New England Patriots have a genuine desire to retain Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason.

Garoppolo is perhaps the most intriguing trade target in recent league history due to the continued excellence of Tom Brady despite his advancing age and how well Garoppolo has played in Brady's absence.

The thinking is that Brady will want to play three more seasons but there's a caveat that he could retire sooner if the Patriots win one more Super Bowl.

Some think that the Patriots could even use the franchise tag on Garoppolo in 2018 and not as a precursor to a trade.

Garoppolo could sign a deal at a big number for a backup that gives him incentives if he plays more. Garoppolo is represented by the same firm as Brady.

The Patriots have never considered anyone untouchable but it is believed that excludes Brady.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Brandin Cooks Says He Didn't Ask To Be Traded

Mar 16, 2017 7:49 AM

In his first meeting with the media as a member of the New England Patriots, Brandin Cooks said that he didn't ask the New Orleans Saints to trade him.

"I didn't," Cooks told reporters. "It was a long process. So if we can set this straight, I think a lot of that and what was going on got taken out of context and a little exaggerated, and throughout the process I felt like I had to take the blows and keep my mouth shut, which is fine. It just happened to be a great opportunity for both sides. To be able to build what they want to build and to be sent off to a good team for me I think is a win-win situation. Like I said, the rumors out there and what's been going on and what's been told, I don't let it bother me. I'm just here to play football and that's what it's all about."

The most persistent rumor had Cooks' agent engineering a trade by making the player's discontent known during the 2016 season and by working directly with one or more other teams to lay the foundation for a deal to be done.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Patriots Agree Upon Four-Year, $43.5M Deal With Dont'a Hightower

Mar 16, 2017 9:55 PM

The New England Patriots have agreed upon a four-year, $43.5 million deal with Dont'a Hightower.

Hightower will receive $19 million in guaranteed money.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Malcolm Butler Wants To Leave Patriots
Malcolm Butler is "extremely frustrated" by the Patriots refusal to sign him to a long-term deal.

Mike Giardi/CSN New England

Patriots Acquire Brandin Cooks From Saints
The Patriots will trade the 32nd and 103rd overall picks to the Saints for Brandin Cooks and their 118th overall pick.

Dianna Russini/ESPN

Packers Agree To Sign Martellus Bennett
Martellus Bennett will leave the Patriots to join Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Agent: No Contract Talks Between Patriots, Malcolm Butler
The Patriots have held no talks with Malcolm Butler regarding a new contract, according to the cornerback's agent.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Jimmy Garoppolo's Farewell Instagram Post Was A 'Hoax'
An Instagram post on the verified account of Jimmy Garoppolo saying farewell to New England sent social media buzzing, but a source believed it was a "prank" or "hoax."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Browns Still Pursuing Jimmy Garoppolo Despite Brock Osweiler Trade
The Patriots will still want the Browns' No. 1 overall pick this year in exchange for Jimmy Garoppolo and No. 12 doesn't interest them as much.

Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Stephon Gilmore Expected To Sign With Patriots
The Patriots are expected to sign Stephon Gilmore barring any late snags, according to a report.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Patriots Acquire Dwayne Allen From Colts
Dwayne Allen re-signed with the Colts last offseason with a four-year, $29 million contract.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Patriots Seeking Two First Round Picks For Jimmy Garoppolo
If the Patriots would accept trading Jimmy Garoppolo for the Browns' pick at No. 12 and another later round selection, Cleveland would strongly consider that.

Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Tom Brady Endorses Plant-Based Meal Subscription Service
None of the meals will contain recipes with dairy, eggs, seafood, meat or processed foods.

Darren Rovell/ESPN

Adrian Peterson Might Consider Taking Discount With Patriots
Adrian Peterson will become a free agent later this week after the Vikings declined to exercise his $18 million option for this season.

Karen Guregian/Boston Herald

Saints Reject Patriots' Offer For Brandin Cooks
The Saints believe they can receive a pick in the middle of the first round for Brandin Cooks.

Mike Triplett/ESPN

Patriots Evaluating Backup Quarterback Market
One working theory is the Patriots want at least a first- and second-round draft pick in return for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jeff Howe/Boston Herald

Chris Long Says He's Moving On From Patriots
Chris Long, who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last offseason, says he's moving on from the team.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Patriots Not Expected To Trade Jimmy Garoppolo
With Tom Brady expected to play several more seasons, it was widely expected the Patriots would at least entertain trade offers for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Patriots Inform Dont'a Hightower That He Won't Receive Tag
The Patriots have informed Dont'a Hightower that they won't use their franchise tag on him, according to a source.

Adam Schefter/ESPN