NFL GM on Steelers-Patriots trade: 'Belichick did it just to (expletive) the Jets'

The “did they or didn’t they” saga surrounding the Steelers-Patriots trade during Round 1 of the NFL Draft took a few more turns Wednesday.

Like many nationally, I assumed that Patriots coach Bill Belichick took particular joy in greenlighting a trade with the Steelers to move back from No. 14 to No. 17 so that he could pick up a fourth-round selection while allowing the Steelers to snag Georgia offensive tackle Broderick Jones.

All the while, it was largely believed that the Patriots’ AFC East rivals, the New York Jets, were salivating to get Jones at No. 15. It’s clear the Patriots preferred a cornerback, and a good one in Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez had slipped from a perceived top-10 pick all the way through the first 13 selections.

So the Pats did business with the Steelers, picked up an extra third-day draft choice, got the guy they wanted and goosed the Jets in the process.

What fun!

Just look at the smirk on the face of Matt Groh, director of player personnel for New England, when he was asked about the deal.

Matt Groh's reaction when asked about the Steelers taking Broderick Jones right out from under the Jets noses speaks volumes pic.twitter.com/AbOZcSgPfp

— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) April 28, 2023

Of course, the Jets went in damage control mode and talked up how much they loved first-round choice Will McDonald IV, while tamping down the Patriots-Steelers conspiracy angle — even though McDonald was perceived to be a late first-round pick at best.

As TribLIVE’s Chris Adamski posted, Omar Khan was on 102.5 WDVE Wednesday morning. During his appearance, the Steelers GM did his best to downplay any ulterior motives from the Patriots.

“We did not relay. We did not tell them who we were planning on picking,” Khan said. “It was just one of those things where we all study what the needs are of the teams around us. But, no, we did not say, ‘Hey, we want to make this trade, and we want to take, you know, Player X.’”

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Assurances or not, on Monday, “Football Morning In America” writer Peter King said don’t rule out the prospect that Belichick did have pulling a fast one on the Jets in mind when he struck that deal with Pittsburgh.

“Georgia tackle Broderick Jones was a Jets favorite, and several GMs around the league believed that’s who Joe Douglas was going to pick at 13 (before trading that pick to Green Bay in the Aaron Rodgers deal),” King wrote Monday. “With the Jets at 15 (Green Bay’s former spot), Pittsburgh traded up to the 14th slot and grabbed Jones. Bad look for the Jets, who didn’t address a big need, tackle, till day three.”

On Wednesday, the Washington Post had some biting quotes on the topic from writer Jason La Canfora. He spoke with a general manager in the NFL who “had been keeping tabs on a potential trade up” with the Patriots.

“They should have had to give up a [third-round pick] and not a four to move up there,” the anonymous GM said. “Belichick did it just to (expletive) the Jets. He sold low because he knew the Steelers were going to take the kid the Jets wanted to take.”

Then, regarding the Jets taking McDonald?

“I think the trade totally blindsided them,” the GM said. “They were scrambling.”

La Canfora wasn’t done. He spoke with another personnel executive from a team who was picking around the middle of the first round who said: “Bill will try to screw (the Jets) over any chance he gets. He knew exactly what he was doing.”

The Jets have to blow off this narrative for appearances. Naturally, they are going to downplay it. Khan has to be politically correct. He wasn’t on video, but I bet he was grinning his way through that answer on ‘DVE, just like Groh did in his press conference.

But count me among those in the King/La Canfora camp. I’ve been in it since Thursday night, actually.

Why? Well …

1. Because I think that’s how Belichick thinks.

2. It’s more fun to think this stuff actually happens.

If you take away draft night shenanigans and conspiracy theories, then it’s just four hours of Roger Goodell reading index cards.