March 2018 - New England Patriots Wiretap

Robert Kraft Acknowledges Patriots Have To Draft QB Soon

Mar 30, 2018 8:49 AM

The New England Patriots lack a succession plan for Tom Brady and Robert Kraft is aware that a quarterback will have to be drafted soon.

"I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to," Kraft said. "Not just that, but think what happened in the '08 season when in the first quarter against Kansas City, Tom [Brady] goes out. How many people would have said that Matt Cassel would have led us to an 11-5 season? I put my faith and confidence in Bill [Belichick]. He knows his responsibilities. Anything can happen, even if Tom comes in [and is in] tip-top shape.

"Part of why the networks pay us the funding they do, and the reason this is the best entertainment product in America, is you don't know -- one play can change a whole season. One play with one person. To do a good job managing an NFL franchise, we've always said understanding quality depth management, that's our business."

Since taking Brady in 2000, the Patriots have drafted eight quarterbacks. The highest of those selections was Jimmy Garoppolo, who was taken in the second round in 2014.

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: New England Patriots, Draft, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Robert Kraft Confirms Meeting Occurred With Belichick, Brady

Mar 26, 2018 1:36 PM

Robert Kraft confirmed that he's meet with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady this offseason.

“Yes, we’ve had the meeting. And just to be clear, we have meetings all the time. We’re not a big bureaucratic organization,” Kraft told reporters, via MMQB’s Albert Breer.

An ESPN story depicted a dysfunctional scene of dysfunction between the trio last season.

“I’ve been around enough, if you run any kind of company — any kind of business — the more successful you are, you have strong personalities, there’s always a certain amount of tension. That just goes with the agenda,” Kraft said on NFL Network on Jan. 21.

Henry McKenna/USA Today

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Belichick Details What Led To Josh McDaniels Staying With Patriots

Mar 26, 2018 10:34 AM

Bill Belichick detailed how he convinced Josh McDaniels to reverse his decision to become head coach of the Colts and remain with the Patriots.

"Once that game ended, I think that really gave Josh and I a chance to sit down [Tuesday] and talk more directly about the situation, as opposed to, 'We really want to talk about the game and what we need to do to try to compete in that game.' That's basically what happened," Belichick said Sunday at the NFL's annual meeting. "Before the game, I'd say we had minimal discussions. I'd say we had much deeper and longer and more in-depth and more constructive discussions immediately after the game."

The Patriots then made an aggressive offer to incentivize McDaniels to stay.

In a meeting with a small group of local reporters, Belichick said of McDaniels' return, "We got back from Minnesota, I had an opportunity to talk to Josh, and we were able to work some things out. I'm thrilled he's still with us and is going to continue in his role. I think he's a top offensive coordinator in the league. He's done a great job for me for a long time in a lot of different roles. I'm very glad, based on the meeting we had -- there were a number of things that happened -- that we were able to work that out and keep him with us."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Matthew Slater Re-Signs With Patriots On Two-Year Deal

Mar 20, 2018 9:41 PM

Matthew Slater has agreed to re-sign with the New England Patriots on a two-year deal.

Slater was a fifth round pick by the Patriots in 2008.

Slater took a free agent visit to the Steelers last week.

Slater is one of the Patriots' inspirational and spiritual leaders. He's also a perennial Pro Bowl player, having been selected to play in the game in each of the past seven seasons.

RealGM Staff Report

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

Discuss
Gotham Chopra Doubts Tom Brady Will Play 4-5 More Seasons

Mar 19, 2018 12:09 PM

Gotham Chopra had a high level of access to Tom Brady as he made his "Tom Vs. Time" docuseries.

Chopra was asked if he believes the Patriots' Big Three of Brady, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft are on the verge of a split.

“... I mean, it’s an 18-year marriage, and it’s been an incredibly successful run, but there’s a lot of intensity and a lot of pressure, and a lot of big personalities. And Tom is one of them," said Chopra. "That hasn’t been easy, and I find it interesting that by the end of the season, that all kind of faded away, because when you get to the end of the season, no matter what is going on, everyone sort of gets on the same page and focuses. Again, they had another incredible run. And that’s what he says at the end—is like, this is a very different offseason for him. And I think, that’s not necessarily what happened during the season. It’s the fact that he’s got three growing kids, a wife who’s like, ‘You know, I’ve kind of been putting stuff on hold for a while, and I wanna go out and do my thing now too.’ And so Tom’s juggling a lot of things, and I think that’s basically what he says at the end: I gotta recalibrate. I have to find that conviction again. I think he will, but, you know, this idea that he’s going to play for four or five more seasons… I mean, this is just me, the guy who’s been around him for a while now. I just have a hard time envisioning that, to be candid. But we’ll see. I do think that these next few weeks and months are a critical time for him.”

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Patriots To Acquire Cordarrelle Patterson From Raiders

Mar 19, 2018 8:22 AM

The New England Patriots will acquire Cordarrelle Patterson in a trade with the Oakland Raiders, according to multiple reports.

The teams are expected to swap late-round picks in the deal as well.

Patterson is entering the final year of his contract. He is due a non-guaranteed base salary of $3 million. He has a $250,000 workout bonus as part of the deal.

The Patriots might use Patterson more as a kick returner than wide receiver.

Barstool Sports

Tags: New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Patriots To Sign Jeremy Hill

Mar 16, 2018 7:44 PM

The New England Patriots will sign Jeremy Hill.

The former Cincinnati Bengals running back visited with the Patriots on Friday.

Hill will join Rex Burkhead, James White and Mike Gillislee in New England's backfield.

Dion Lewis left in free agency, signing with the Tennessee Titans.

Field Yates/ESPN

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

Discuss
Rex Burkhead Staying With Patriots Under Three-Year Deal

Mar 15, 2018 8:10 AM

The New England Patriots have agreed to a three-year deal with Rex Burkhead, according to a report.

The report also stated that the deal is heavy on guaranteed money for the running back.

Burkhead signed a one-year deal with the Patriots last year.

Kevin Patra/NFL

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

Discuss
Malcolm Butler: Patriots Never Gave Reason For Benching

Mar 15, 2018 8:02 AM

Malcolm Butler says he has no hard feelings towards his former team, but the New England Patriots never gave him a reason for why he was benched during Super Bowl LII last month.

Butler agreed to a contract with the Tennessee Titans this week. He hasn't spoken to Bill Belichick since the Super Bowl.

"I never got a reason," Butler told the Boston Herald. "I feel like this was the reason: I got kind of sick. I went to the hospital. They probably thought I was kind of late on the game plan. I wasn't as locked in as I should be and could have been a matchup deal. It could have been anything.

"But Bill Belichick has been doing this for a very long time. He took a veteran out of Super Bowl XLIX [against the Seahawks] and put in a first-year rookie, and that turned out right, so you could never question his decision. It didn't work out right [against the Eagles]. It didn't work out the best for me or him or the New England Patriots. But I can say he won more than he lost, so it is what it is. I always have love for New England, Bill Belichick, Mr. Kraft, all those guys. Life just goes on."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Giants Will Sign Nate Solder To Four-Year, $60M Deal

Mar 14, 2018 10:56 AM

The New York Giants are expected to sign left tackle Nate Solder away from the New England Patriots, according to reports.

Solder will receive $60 million over four years, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Ian Rapoport/NFL Network

Tags: New England Patriots, New York Giants, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Patriots Have Offered Deal To A.J. McCarron
The Patriots have Brian Hoyer behind Tom Brady on their depth chart.

Kirk Minihane/WEEI

Titans Agree To Sign Malcolm Butler To Five-Year, $61M Deal
The Patriots made Malcolm Butler a healthy scratch on defense in Super Bowl LII.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Danny Amendola Expected To Sign With Dolphins
The 32-year-old wide receiver caught 61 passes for the Patriots for 659 yards and two touchdowns in 2017.

Dan Hellie/NFL Network

Dion Lewis Drawing Interest From Eight Teams
In addition to the Patriots, seven teams are believed to have interest in signing Dion Lewis.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Patriots Acquire Danny Shelton From Browns
Danny Shelton has 71 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 46 games.

Field Yates/ESPN

Rams Acquire Aqib Talib From Broncos
The Rams have also added Marcus Peters and Sam Shields at cornerback this offseason.

James Palmer, Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Broncos 'Actively Shopping' Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib has two years and $19 million left on his contract.

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Patriots Release Martellus Bennett
The move creates about $6 million in cap space for the Patriots.

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Patriots To Have Brian Flores Call Plays On Defense
Brian Flores won't be defensive coordinator but he will call plays.

Charles Robinson/Yahoo! Sports