A look at the AFC East:
- Patriots owner Bob Kraft did not force Bill Belichick‘s hand in trading Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter link) hears. However, Belichick “desperately wanted” to keep the young QB, which could be an indication that the team simply could not go far enough to sign him to an extension. Garoppolo looks like a star in the making with the Niners while the Pats came away with a 2018 second-round pick in the swap.
- Cornerback Morris Claiborne wants to return to Jets next season, as Calvin Watkins of Newsday writes. “I hope to be back here,” Claiborne said. “That’s my plan, that’s what I want to do. I like it here. I like the coaching staff, the trainers, I like everything about the Jets organization, since I’ve been here. It’s been nothing but love. I would rather go nowhere else, I would rather stay here.” Claiborne joined the Jets on a cheap a one-year deal in the offseason worth $2.5MM with a $500K roster bonus. So far, he has 37 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one interception to his credit. Claiborne also says that he wants to see Todd Bowles return as head coach.
- Could you imagine Eli Manning as the Jets‘ next quarterback? Bob Glauber of Newsday can. He hypothesizes that the Giants will take a QB at No. 2 overall in the draft, displacing Manning. The Jets, who are expected to look for a new signal caller this year, could have interest in Manning winds up on the open market. Meanwhile, Glauber expects Kirk Cousins to stay with the Redskins, meaning that he would not be an option for Gang Green.
Didn’t the Patriots get a third round pick, not a second round?
nah. second.
Clearly worth a first in hindsight.
Unfortunately once again GM Belichick did not help Coach Belichick but it looks like he did help his buddy Mike Shanahan’s son as well as good guy John Lynch who had a cup of coffee with the Pats and Belichick at the end of his playing career
I really don’t see what the Apats could have done otherwise. According to everything we heard Jimmy G wanted to start and wouldn’t have resigned to be a backup yet again. Can’t blame him, he held a clipboard for 3.5 years and Brady doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. All they could do was trade him or franchise, which would murder their cap and they’d have to trade him anyway. Either way any trade partner would have them over a barrel. They either get what they can or go into next year with a murdered cap and a pissed holding-out Jimmy G