PHOENIX — Robert Kraft might have sent New England into a tizzy when he revealed Monday to reporters that Lamar Jackson told Meek Mill that Jackson wanted to come to the Patriots, but that appears to be a pipedream.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Patriots are not expected to pursue signing or trading for Jackson, according to three league sources close to the situation.
The overall cost — from the contract to the draft pick compensation — of acquiring Jackson is not something the Patriots would be interested in.
In fact, even if Belichick wanted to pursue Jackson, he would not find support from ownership, sources said. The Patriots believe that Mac Jones deserves a real shot after not being put in a position to succeed by Belichick last season — something Robert Kraft touched on with his comments on Monday.
"I'm a big fan of Mac," Kraft said. "I think he came to us as a rookie quarterback in his rookie season and did a very fine job. We made the playoffs. I think we experimented with some things last year that, frankly, didn't work when it came to him in my opinion. And I think we made changes that I think put him in a good position to excel.
"... For me, I think I see him as a very hard-working young man. He's in the stadium almost every day now in the offseason, I think bringing in Bill O'Brien, I think will work to his advantage. And I'm very positive and hopeful about this upcoming year. And I personally am a big fan of Mac."
With O'Brien back and some improvements around Jones on offense, the belief internally is that Jones will rise to the occasion this year. The Patriots are actively trying to add more weapons around Jones, a team source said. The path they've settled on, at this time, is to build up the talent around Jones, similar to what the Eagles and Dolphins did with their young QBs on rookie contracts. Kraft is involved in that effort and is fully behind that direction.
The Patriots are still involved in talks around receivers Jerry Jeudy (Broncos) and DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals). Those could heat up closer to the draft, and some talented players could become available once the draft concludes.
Kraft's mention of the Mill-Jackson interaction was to illustrate that younger stars still like the Patriots' brand. And Kraft's influence through Mill with younger NFL stars is viewed as an advantage.
With Belichick and the Patriots, you can't 100 percent rule anything out. However, high-ranking sources basically scoffed at the Patriots pursuing Jackson and feel that Kraft would not be on board.
Joe Judge will be assistant head coach this season
It wasn't quite clear from Albert Breer's initial report whether Joe Judge would be an assistant head coach or assistant TO the head coach this season, but Judge will definitely be assistant head coach for the Patriots.
Judge is at the league meetings in a similar role to Matt Patricia last year, but with a much lower profile.
Belichick and Matt Groh exited the league meeting this afternoon and could be headed to a couple of pro days with some top schools on deck.
Bill Belichick and Matt Groh just exited the league meetings. Some interesting pro days coming up. pic.twitter.com/A0zaOHnYlZ
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) March 28, 2023
NFL approves some safety rule changes
Owners approved two safety rules aimed at helping curtail concussions.
The most significant change expands the rule against using the helmet as a weapon. A player will also be penalized if he uses any part of his helmet or face mask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent's head or neck area. If the foul is committed by a defensive player, it will also automatically result in a first down for the offense. This will include plays outside the tackle box when players have been deemed fair game as runners. The league is trying to take head shots out of the game entirely, and want the strike zone lowered. Competition committee chair Rick McKay said many of this instances have happened along the sideline and players strike high.
The Guardian Caps that were worn during training camps last season will now be mandated at every preseason practice, as well as every regular-season and postseason practice with contact. Running backs and fullbacks join the previously included linemen and linebackers. The only positions not required to wear the caps are kickers, punters, quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs.
The hip drop tackle is a topic of more study leading into the owners' May meeting.
Owners rejected a proposal to make roughing the passer penalties reviewable.
Owners approved the proposal to allow players to wear the number zero.