Robert Kraft is defending Mac Jones, not Bill Belichick
Following Jeff Howe‘s report about Robert Kraft being willing to fire Bill Belichick, it’s clear he’s defending Mac Jones after the two clashed last season.
Robert Kraft needs a quarterback…
Scott Zolak: Robert needs the quarterback. When you’re an owner in this league, you need a quarterback. When you have events at the stadium and you have 18 of them a year, you know who goes to it? Quarterback. Matt Slater. David Andrews.
Marc Bertrand: When you say events, what kind of events?
Scott Zolak: Meet and greets. I’m having a concert. All my corporate sponsors. Hey, we’re doing Make-A-Wish down on the field and it’s Thursday after practice. They want Mac Jones. Get him down here.
Marc Bertrand: I would what would be more important would be a quarterback who plays well and wins on the field because all those sponsorship dollars and that thing we talked about yesterday is far more important from a winning perspective.
Scott Zolak: Absolutely. So, I mean, there is going to be a relationship between the two.
Marc Bertrand: And you think that comes out in this story? Because I think it does. There’s a defense of Mac Jones while also a put down of Bill Belichick. While citing a source close to the situation and to know what Robert Kraft is thinking, I’m going to extend that out and say that’s a source close to ownership, close to that level of management. It’s not the ball boy telling you how Robert Kraft feels. It’s not an assistant coach or a low level assistant that is someone that’s really in the know. My guess is that’s a top-notch source to be reporting something like that about how an owner feels about a current situation.
Scott Zolak: I mean, think about that. Think about that letter that they put out immediately after the season ended a year ago. It was, we are very aware, we’re upset, we’re fans like you. We’re going to fix this offense, we’re immediately beginning our search for coordinator. We need to get back to what we do, put forth the best team that we can put forth in front of you… and it’s like oooh okay, he got put on notice, meaning Bill.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Listen to the full segment!
5 players to watch for the Patriots ahead of the NFL trade deadline
WR Kendrick Bourne
Oct 8, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) runs with the ball during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Through five games, Bourne has been the best wide receiver in the Patriots’ offense. He leads the team with 18 catches for 218 yards, and two touchdowns. That kind of production, in the context of what this offense has been, should draw notice around the league.
What could the Patriots get in return for Bourne? Using last year as precedent (and get ready for that to become a theme), a top-100 pick may not be out of the question. While there’s not direct comp for Bourne, there are two trades that happened that can be used to find the ballpark of Bourne’s value. The Kansas City Chiefs got third- and sixth-round picks for Kadarius Toney – who had been a healthy scratch for most of that season – and the Steelers got a second-round pick for Chase Claypool – who had comparable numbers to what Bourne does now at that point.
If contenders feel they need wide receiver help, there’s evidence that shows they’re wiling to overpay for a player. Could the Patriots take advantage?
TE Hunter Henry
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) runs a route during the second half at against the Philadelphia Eagles Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Like Bourne, Henry has been able to produce despite the issues around him. He’s right behind Bourne in most of the Patriots’ major statistical categories, with 17 catches for 176 yards and two scores.
Would he have the same value on the trade market? It’s a little harder to say. The only tight end trade at the deadline last year was T.J. Hockenson going with two fourth-round picks to Detroit for a second- and third-round picks. Plus, most of the top contending teams have high-level tight ends. Dallas could be a team to watch though if the Patriots take calls on Henry.
OT Trent Brown
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ: Trent Brown of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 24, 2023. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Brown had his worst game of the year against the Saints, after a strong start. If the team keeps losing and he keeps sliding, would a contending team view him as a player who could bounce back with a change of scenery – especially as a pending free agent?
While there’s been a tackle shortage around the league the last few years, no tackles were moved at least year’s trade deadline. In fact only one tackle was traded in-season all year, when the Patriots sent Justin Herron and a seventh-round pick to the Raiders for a sixth-round pick. Brown would certainly get a better return than that, but by how much?
LB Josh Uche
Aug 25, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche (55) tackles Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) for a loss during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The first of two members of the 2020 draft class on this list, Uche figures to have a bigger role moving forward this season after Matthew Judon’s injury. However, if the team is losing games, does his status as a pending free agent supersede that? If the Patriots don’t plan on re-signing him this offseason, the Patriots have enough depth at pass rusher to allow themselves to get something for him now.
Last year’s edge rusher trades were all over the map. Robert Quinn went for a fourth-round pick. Quinn’s situation isn’t a perfect comparison for Uche right now, but it’s as close as their was in 2022.
S Kyle Dugger
New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports)
Of all the players on this list (keep in mind all five are on expiring contracts), Dugger probably makes the most sense to keep. Regardless of what happens with the coaching staff this offseason, Dugger is a player the team can build around in the future. However, he’s also probably one of the players they can get the most for.
Will a team blow away the Patriots with an offer for Dugger, hoping to be able to sign him to a long-term deal without having to go through unrestricted free agency. It could happen. But at the same time, there still should be an eye on keeping Dugger in New England beyond this season.
