On Tuesday afternoon, months of Patriots offseason rumors seemed to come to a head with the Pro Football Talk report that Bill Belichick has secretly been trying to trade Mac Jones this offseason. The entire direction of the Patriots’ organization seemed to be up in the air.

Since that report, multiple local reporters have shared what they’ve heard on the matter. Their info ranged from downplaying to pushing back on that PFT report.

• Mark Daniels of MassLive was the first to report on what he’d heard from sources. Late Tuesday afternoon, Daniels tweeted “I talked to three NFL sources about the Patriots ‘shopping’ Mac Jones. One said ‘That’s news to me.’ A second said the Pats haven’t contacts the Bucs. A third said the Pats haven’t reached out to the Raiders about Jones, either.” Daniels also joined 98.5’s Toucher and Rich Wednesday morning, and called the original report “questionable at best.”

  Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald tweeted Tuesday night that he “found no belief” from any sources he spoke to about Jones being shopped in a trade, and that one of his sources called the report “nonsense,” while “it struck others around the league as likely old news overstated.” Callahan added that Jones has been in the Patriots’ team facility regularly in recent weeks, including on Tuesday when the story came out.

  Finally, Jeff Howe of the Athletic shared a column on the matter on Wednesday morning. Howe suggested the Patriots would be open to the idea of improving the quarterback situation should the opportunity present itself and that Jones’ name may have come up because “offseason personnel conversations typically runs the gamut of every player of substance — every coach and general manager wants to know who is available and how valuable they are.” However, he added that “several high-ranking executives from quarterback-needy teams in both the AFC and NFC told The Athletic the Patriots never approached them with the idea of trading Jones.”

  Although Belichick has seemingly given Jones the cold shoulder dating back to training camp, it would still be surprising to see the 2021 15th overall pick get dealt this offseason. Owner Robert Kraft has spoken highly of Jones multiple times this offseason – most recently at the NFL Owners Meetings last week – and NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran reported at the start of the offseason a Jones trade was unrealistic.

  At this point, for those on the outside looking in, it seems like Jones’ availability is a matter of what and who any given individual wants to believe. But to this point, it’s all just speculation.

• 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 abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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