Report: Patriots player ‘openly discussed’ intent to leave for NFC team

The New England Patriots are expected to undergo some major changes this offseason, and it sounds like one veteran player already began plotting his exit weeks ago.

Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald on Thursday published an article that provides a behind-the-scenes look at some of the “dysfunction” that has existed in what could be Bill Belichick’s final season in New England. One player who has reportedly made up his mind about no longer wanting to play for Belichick is offensive tackle Trent Brown.

According to Callahan and Kyed, Brown at one point in the locker room “openly discussed plans to play for an NFC team” next season. He did so following New England’s big upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14.

That is hardly the first we have heard of there being issues between Brown and the Patriots. The 30-year-old was a healthy scratch for last Sunday’s game, which assured that he would not earn any portion of the play-time incentive he has in his contract. Earlier in the week, Brown expressed frustration with the way the Patriots have handled his contract situation.

Shortly after New England’s Week 17 loss to the Bills, Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal reported that there is an internal belief with the team that Brown could have returned sooner from knee and ankle injuries he suffered in Week 8. Brown sat out several games before returning in Week 12. An anonymous player hinted at frustration with Brown.

“A lot of us — almost all — are fighting for each other and for pride, even though the results aren’t what any of us want,” the player told Giardi. “It sucks that not everyone is willing to put it out there. I hope people who sign the checks are paying attention.”

Brown had played well before getting injured in Week 8. It seemed to be all downhill from there for him, so it is unclear if the injury was a significant factor or if he became increasingly unhappy with his situation.

Brown is in his second stint with the Patriots, having previously played for them for a season in 2018. He was a starter for New England when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl that year.