Bill Belichick ‘never talked to’ N’Keal Harry’s agent regarding trade request

Author Alex Barth

August 31st, 2021 9:49 AM

The N’Keal Harry trade request saga keeps getting weirder. As we’re now finding out, the Patriots’ general manager may not have even been involved.

In case you forgot, Harry’s agent Jamal Tooson shared a strongly-worded trade request through

Statement from #Patriots WR N’Keal Harry’s agent Jamal Tooson, who has formally requested a trade for the 2019 first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/3xdJbbar28

“For the past several months, I have been working in cooperation with the Patriots behind the scenes to put a plan in place to allow N’Keal to thrive in New England,” Tooson wrote, continuing to say the Patriots have misused Harry during his two seasons in New England.

“Following numerous conversations with the Patriots, I believe it’s time for a fresh start and best for both parties if N’Keal moves on before the start of training camp,” Tooson continued. “That is why I have informed the Patriots today I am formally requesting a trade on behalf of my client.”

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  In the aftermath of the request, Harry had a breakout camp before injuring his shoulder in the team's second preseason game. He also re-affirmed his commitment to the Patriots, saying early in camp that he's "very OK with being a Patriot," and would "absolutely" be happy if he's still on the team for Week 1.
  
  For his part, Bill Belichick (who serves as the team's head coach and GM) was complimentary of Harry during his Tuesday morning press conference, saying Harry "had a good camp. I’m glad we have him. I think he’ll make a big contribution to our team. We’ll see how it all goes from a time standpoint, of when he’ll be able to get back on the field."
  
  Between the comments from both sides, it's almost like the trade request never happened. Apparently, Belichick feels the same way too.

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  Asked if Harry's camp had 'rescinded' the trade request, Belichick replied, "I never talked to his agent, alright? So you'd have to ask his agent, whatever he did or didn't say, I don't even know."
  
  "I'm a coach, N'Keal is a player, I think we have a good player-coach relationship," Belichick continued. "We've talked. So, whatever somebody else said or did or whatever, you should talk to them about that."
  
  "Whatever conversations are between agents, players, myself - those are private conversations," Belichick added.
  
  We'll probably never know the full story of the 2021 N'Keal Harry training camp saga, one of the strangest summer arcs the Patriots have had in recent memory. "I'm a coach, N'Keal is a player, I think we have a good player-coach relationship," Belichick continued. "We've talked. So, whatever somebody else said or did or whatever, you should talk to them about that."
  
  We'll probably never know the full story of the 2021 N'Keal Harry training camp saga, one of the strangest summer arcs the Patriots have had in recent memory.

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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Author Alex Barth

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Bill Belichick,n'keal harry,New England Patriots,NFL,patriots