Some Patriots and NFL news and notes for this morning:<\/p>\n
1) Mike Reiss brought up an interesting point in his Sunday column<\/strong><\/a>, regarding the fact that Josh McDaniels was front and center with Bill Belichick as the two have attended Pro Days while taking a look at the available quarterback prospects.\u00a0 The fact McDaniels was there was notable because he’ll be one of the key people incorporating that new player into the offense, as well as working on his development moving forward.<\/p>\n McDaniels has had success when it comes to developing quarterbacks, with the offensive coordinator most recently playing a key role in the development of both Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, both of which had gone on to become starters elsewhere.\u00a0 While the verdict is still out on Jarrett Stidham, there’s no question that if they do take someone in first-round in the coming weeks, making sure that person fits McDaniels long-term plans will obviously be an important decision.<\/p>\n The big question right now appears to be who might be available by the time they’re on the clock, with the 49ers trade with Miami throwing a monkey wrench into things.\u00a0 The indication now is that San Francisco seems to be interested in taking Mac Jones, who was a player the Patriots were said to be favoring.\u00a0 Jones was initially thought to be a player who might be available but his stock has skyrocketed recently and as it currently stands, it looks like the Patriots will need to trade up to even have a shot at a top-tier QB, as they’re all expected to be long-gone by the time New England would pick at #15.<\/p>\n For now, the goal is for McDaniels and Belichick to hopefully find the player who can get the most out of all the roster additions this season.\u00a0 But the fact that McDaniels has been involved shows that Belichick is focused on making sure whoever they do select, hopefully, especially since their future will be in his hands, that it’s the right player.<\/p>\n 2) One name that we’re all wondering about heading into 2021 is Julian Edelman, who I think it’s safe to say none of us is sure how he’s going to fit in with this new group of players.<\/p>\n For a guy who has been such an intricate part of what they do, Edelman is clearly at a point now where coming off of a significant knee injury, it’s going to be tough for him to still be that player.<\/p>\n He clearly has the respect of Belichick and the coaches and it sounds like however it plays out, they’re going to try and handle it the right way.\u00a0 According to Greg Bedard, it sounds like the team may be already planning to move on from him and would even be willing to send him to Tampa if that’s ultimately where he has an opportunity to go.<\/p>\n From Bedard’s Sunday column<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n No definitive news on Edelman, but people around the team don\u2019t talk about him much, and the consensus is they will help him give it one more go elsewhere (Tampa?), or he\u2019ll retire.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I think I fall into the category of people in denial that #11’s time in New England could be coming to an end.\u00a0 It’s pretty incredible when you go back and look at how it all unfolded when the Patriots signed Danny Amendola to replace Wes Welker and it instead ended up being Edelman who stepped up in a massive way and became that player.<\/p>\n His rise is one of the best stories in the history of this team, especially for a player who started as a 7th-round pick and turned into the reason they added three more titles.\u00a0 It’s safe to say that without Edelman, those don’t happen and it will definitely be hard to see him go when that day does finally come.<\/p>\n 3) It sounds like the days of both of the McCourty brothers being in the Patriots’ defense could be coming to an end.<\/p>\n The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reports that there’s mutual interest<\/strong><\/a> between the Giants and Jason McCourty, which could mean he could be joining former Patriot coach Joe Judge (now the Giants coach) this season.<\/p>\n McCourty recently said he’s planning on continuing to play but also wants it to be somewhere where he can be a mentor while playing for a club who wants him to be there.<\/p>\n He recently told Good Morning Football that this next contract “could be it” and he’s looking forward to whatever that opportunity is.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year in free agency has been different obviously with the cap and everything going on as a result of 2020,\u201d McCourty said<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cI just want to be somewhere where I\u2019m wanted and an opportunity to compete and help the guys around me. As an older player, I really look forward to and love being able to mentor younger guys and be able to kind of help them grow as well as going in there competing and trying to win games. So wherever that may be, I\u2019m going to be excited. This will be year 13, so each year you\u2019re closer to the end, this could be it. So I\u2019m just excited to get somewhere and play football.\u201d<\/p>\n It would be sad to see him go, but it was definitely great to have him here.\u00a0 He’ll also be forever remembered for the end zone pass break-up against the Rams that saved a touchdown and ultimately helped them win their most recent championship.<\/p>\n