Many Patriots reportedly didn’t agree with Bill Belichick’s decision to trade Jamie Collins
During last season’s bye week, Patriots coach Bill Belichick shocked the NFL â and apparently his own team â by trading away linebacker Jamie Collins.
There were a lot of questions in New England’s locker room following the surprising midseason move that sent Collins to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a conditional draft pick. In NFL Network’s upcoming production of “America’s Game: The 2016 Patriots,” wide receiver Julian Edelman said he remembers everyone looking around in the locker room wondering, “Am I next?”
Edelman, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, and running back LeGarrette Blount opened up about the trade, each sharing he was in disbelief upon hearing the news. Edelman recalled thinking, “Holy s***, I can’t believe that just happened.”
They weren’t the only ones, it seems.
“A lot of guys didn’t agree with it,” Blount said. “All guys didn’t agree with it. I don’t think nobody did.”
Despite their personal opinions on the situation, Blount, Edelman, and Hightower all also indicated they trusted Belichick. As Hightower put it, “there’s a reason why he’s been so successful in what he’s done.”
“You never know what Bill is thinking,” Blout said. “But I know that every decision and every move that he makes, he always makes it for the best interest of the team.”
“It’s more of a business than it is football,” added Hightower.
Collins appeared to be a critical part of New England’s defense prior to the trade. He recorded 31 tackles and two interceptions in seven games. According to Hightower, Collins was “the best defensive player” and “most athletic guy on the team.”
