PFT: Bill "has shopped" Mac

[Pape]

This is what Kyed said in the podcast as I transcribed it in the thing I wrote:

“I had kind of just been like putting it off, I knew it was something I should, like, put out there,” said Kyed. “And then today, Mike Florio initially posted something about there being tension between Mac Jones and Bill Belichick.”

“Actually, first Rotoworld posted about it, and then Mike Florio did, and then I was like, all right, I should probably reach out to some people about it, see if there actually is [tension]. And the first person I talked to actually was like, ‘Yes, there’s 100% tension. There’s tension on both sides, this is real.’ And that person casually mentioned that Bill Belichick had tried to trade Mac Jones. And I was like, yeah, that’s kind of crazy, I don’t know.”

“People say things like that all the time. This is a reputable source and everything like that, but it was just like, kind of out of left field, something I would have to confirm from a few other people or whatever. And then literally five minutes later, because I had reached out to someone else about it, literally five minutes later Florio tweets this out. I’m like, ‘What the Hell?’ It’s been five days since this story first broke. I decide to finally get off my ass and do something about it 10 minutes ago. I found out this piece of information, which I was like I’m probably not going to do anything with this because I doubt that I’ll get it confirmed on the team’s side, and then Florio posts it.”

“So really, I wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable putting that out there. The one thing I would put out there that I did get from more of the team’s side is that, ‘well, we haven’t gotten anything that we’d take.’ That doesn’t mean anything that they’ve gotten anything, that there’s been trade discussions, basically just, ‘We haven’t moved him yet.’ I don’t know exactly where I stand on this.”

Rumor confirmed

 

[Ian]

First and foremost I see you as one of the knowledgable posters.
But Florio supposedly is tied to Kyed about this story. My guess is Florio is getting his info from Kyed.
Then Kyed makes this statement.

Might have been a similar source, but no, if you read the transcript or listen to the podcast, Kyed was actually annoyed that Florio got similar info from someone and broke the story after he had already been sitting on it but was hoping to get more info.

 

[Vindicate]

Man, whether it's true or not, the media is really drumming up ******** headlines: This was Bill Belichick's response to Mac Jones trade rumors

"This was Bill Belichick's Response to Mac Jones Trade Rumors"

The story goes on to say:

“What I’d wonder is, how will the Patriots respond to this?” said Curran. “Bill Belichick, as I understand, had no official comment today. Says it’s not true. But to me, obviously, something happened.”

Literally "he has no comment, therefore something happened."

Non-sequiter that would make most editors laugh in your face as a reporter.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

Might have been a similar source, but no, if you read the transcript or listen to the podcast, Kyed was actually annoyed that Florio got similar info from someone and broke the story after he had already been sitting on it but was hoping to get more info.

I get it. So a source that is privy to both Florio and Kyed makes this statement but Athletics Jeff Howe says many team‘s with QB needs went on record saying they never heard one word from Patriots about Mac. Curran, Daniels and Callahan etc calling the whole Florio sensationalism BS. BB denied it.
This whole thing is a nothing burger

 

[Ross12]

I get it. So a source that is privy to both Florio and Kyed makes this statement but Athletics Jeff Howe says many team‘s with QB needs went on record saying they never heard one word from Patriots about Mac. Curran, Daniels and Callahan etc calling the whole Florio sensationalism BS. BB denied it.
This whole thing is a nothing burger

I'm not sure when or where BB denied it. Curran says he did but I've seen no actual stories or statements from/quoting Belichick. Not clear where he's getting it from.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Here's what we actually do as fans... we read these headlines, we say "OMG what a story if it's true!" and we talk about it without regard to that little detail, which we'll find out when we find it out.

Here's what we'd do if we were after the truth. We'd wait for the irrefuteable evidence, best possible standard. And lacking that, a lot of sources pointing the same way. Like, team confirmation, player confirmation, Mac showing up in another city. That stuff, at least something like it, usually happens before the irrefuteable proof, which is the news that it happened.

So no, it doesn't mean we're dumb to raise our eyebrows and say "huh, there's a rumor, but till there's more, it's just a rumor." There is such a thing as greater and lesser certainty. I have very little certainty of this rumor. It's non-zero, but mainly because this theorized chain of events already had a non-zero probability -- and I'd say, a little more non-zero than if he weren't a blabbermouth who went around Bill and so on.

It is just what it is, nothing or something. We don't know yet. I am am absolutist about my agnosticism at this juncture.

 

[crawhammer]

No, it was Arians. We know because the moment Tom pushed him out the door in 2022 they reverted back to a passing only team and won 8 games.

The friction there was obviously because Arians wanted to stay balanced and give his defense time to rest. We saw the results from being one dimensional, both in 2020 and in 2022… nobody can win that way. Your hero worship is weird.

LOL!! Totally. ****ing. Wrong.

2021 Bucs passing game with Brady & Arians = 5316 yards & 43 TDs

2022 Bucs passing game with Brady & toilet bowles = 4694 yards & 25 TDs

2021 Bucs rushing attempts = 385
2022 Bucs rushing attempts = 386

Reverted back to a "passing only offense"??

Same number of rushing attempts.
Back to back seasons of NFL record setting passing attempts for Brady.

The Bucs were a passing offense, with and without Arians. The only real difference from 2021 to 2022 is about 25 pounds of fat in Fournette's midsection and a pile of **** for a running game, which effectively made the offense one dementional.

If you had bothered to pay attention to the Bucs season, so perhaps you could speak intelligently about it, then you would be aware that they would have won only 3 games if not for Brady's last minute passing game heroics.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I'm not sure when or where BB denied it. Curran says he did but I've seen no actual stories or statements from/quoting Belichick. Not clear where he's getting it from.

My only guess is he told Curran in passing or someone told Curran he said it.
Bill did not hold a press conference about it but why should he if they unfounded rumors. Why have to address something that has no validity to it. Just to bow to Florio who throws many bogus claims out there on a daily basis.
The bigger point is if he was offered to multiple teams there would be at least be one or two leaks from teams.
Crickets on that front. Even Gronk believes it is Fake News. Trust him over Florio

 

[crawhammer]

That's a ridiculous statement given the state of the Patriots' offense last year.

And I'm no big fan of Mac Jones.

Then you won't be disappointed when he's holding a clipboard by 2025.

 

[Jim Beankie]

I get it. So a source that is privy to both Florio and Kyed makes this statement but Athletics Jeff Howe says many team‘s with QB needs went on record saying they never heard one word from Patriots about Mac. Curran, Daniels and Callahan etc calling the whole Florio sensationalism BS. BB denied it.
This whole thing is a nothing burger

This is the quote from Howe - "several" not "many" - could literally be 1 team each from the AFC and NFC. Do you have another reference for the actual executives/teams who went on record? That'd help everyone.

But on Tuesday, 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.

In Belichick’s pursuit of glory, nothing is off the table, even idea of trading Mac Jones

Why it would make sense if the Patriots coach explored the idea of going with someone other than Mac Jones at quarterback next season.

theathletic.com

 

[Ross12]

I’m still going with my hunch on this one… the source is Mac’s agent, in an attempt to get the narrative out there and push NE to trade him. Perhaps not many discussions were had and it was more exploratory than anything, but this story might make those conversations become more serious. If your QB is leaking to the media that he’s available for trade then you probably don’t want to keep him.

 

[slash83]

I’m still going with my hunch on this one… the source is Mac’s agent, in an attempt to get the narrative out there and push NE to trade him. Perhaps not many discussions were had and it was more exploratory than anything, but this story might make those conversations become more serious. If your QB is leaking to the media that he’s available for trade then you probably don’t want to keep him.

If this happens to be the case then yeah he needs to go.

 

[jboston19]

I’m still going with my hunch on this one… the source is Mac’s agent, in an attempt to get the narrative out there and push NE to trade him. Perhaps not many discussions were had and it was more exploratory than anything, but this story might make those conversations become more serious. If your QB is leaking to the media that he’s available for trade then you probably don’t want to keep him.

What if it’s someone from the Ravens responding in kind to Kraft’s comments about meek mill and Jackson? That’s kind of what I’ve imagined.

 

[Love The Drake]

What if it’s someone from the Ravens responding in kind to Kraft’s comments about meek mill and Jackson? That’s kind of what I’ve imagined.

So your saying they called and said do you want Lamar?

 

[Ian]

I’m still going with my hunch on this one… the source is Mac’s agent, in an attempt to get the narrative out there and push NE to trade him. Perhaps not many discussions were had and it was more exploratory than anything, but this story might make those conversations become more serious. If your QB is leaking to the media that he’s available for trade then you probably don’t want to keep him.

Also, H/T to you on the Kyed/Hurley podcast. I had listened to Curran and normally listen to the other (Pats Chat) but hadn’t listened to it yet. So seeing your earlier mentions from that was the reason I hopped on it and transcribed that bit earlier.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

This is the quote from Howe - "several" not "many" - could literally be 1 team each from the AFC and NFC. Do you have another reference for the actual executives/teams who went on record? That'd help everyone.

But on Tuesday, 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.

In Belichick’s pursuit of glory, nothing is off the table, even idea of trading Mac Jones

Why it would make sense if the Patriots coach explored the idea of going with someone other than Mac Jones at quarterback next season.

theathletic.com

What are you a lawyer. He said Several. Take it how you want. He would have said 2 from your scenario
Do you have any references of any team leaking that they were approached by the Patriots.
Pretty common in this day and age, if Mac was shopped then teams would be singing like canaries

 

[Ian]

What are you a lawyer. He said Several. Take it how you want. He would have said 2 from your scenario
Do you have any references of any team leaking that they were approached by the Patriots.
Pretty common in this day and age, if Mac was shopped then teams would be singing like canaries

I don’t know about that. Coaches and GMs all value discretion amongst their peers. No reason to throw guys they do business with under the bus, as it would cause them to be more apprehensive to discuss potential transactions in the future.

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I don’t know about that. Coaches and GMs all value discretion amongst their peers. No reason to throw guys they do business with under the bus, as it would cause them to be more apprehensive to discuss potential transactions in the future.

So under that assumption some Coaches or GM’s would have had to leak to Florio’s source. What happened to your theory of valued discretion amongst peers. There obviously was a leak under this whole Florio theory. So I guess leaking in this day and age is common practice. Problem is no teams named. Just a blind statement.

 

[Ian]

So under that assumption some Coaches or GM’s would have had to leak to Florio’s source. What happened to your theory of valued discretion amongst peers. There obviously was a leak under this whole Florio theory. So I guess leaking in this day and age is common practice.

As @Ross12 noted, an agent - if that is indeed the case - is different from a GM, a coach, etc. But in general, it’s typically bad for business for teams to leak being approached about something given that they too could someday be in a similar position and not want it out there.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Do you have another reference for the actual executives/teams who went on record?

FWIW, Bedard said he spoke to two of the teams that were mentioned in the original story and they denied knowing anything about it.