these claims about what were said to whom and when are just that....claims.
The common wisdom for YEARS was that by the TC of 2001 the best QB the Pats had at practice was Tom Brady. And I think that was because of the "system" that Bill wanted to run. So it wasn't so much that Drew was no longer a quality NFL starter, but he wasn't the best QB for THEM. I believe strongly that the transition to Brady was going to happen in 2001 short of an all pro year and the playoffs with Bledsoe in charge. Clearly that WASN'T happening at the start of the 2001 season. Bledsoe's injury just made that transition easier to make. All the "intrigue" and drama that occurred in all the narratives that are designed to sell books are just that, NARRATIVES.
See the thing is that Drew felt that he was told that he'd have the opportunity to COMPETE for the just of starting QB of the Patriots. The truth is that he HAD been competing for the job of starting QB of the Pats since July and had been LOSING it. By the time of the bad offensive performances to open the 2001 season. (less than 330 passing yds in TWO games), it was no longer a matter of IF but when. Drew's injury was just serendipitous