Top Patriots Exec Sent Message To Leader Before Trade Deadline

Jonathan Jones wasn’t sweating things out in the Patriots locker room in the lead-up to the NFL trade deadline.

Jones was widely viewed as a logical trade candidate ahead of the Nov. 5 benchmark. His leadership and versatility theoretically could have appealed to a contender, and it wouldn’t have been reckless for New England to cut ties with a player on an expiring contract.

But despite all of the chatter, Jones was not traded in the middle of his eighth season with the Patriots. That wasn’t a surprise to the veteran defensive back, who received assurance from up top.

“He (Jones) said Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf ‘spoke to me and let me know their plan wasn’t to trade me,'” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote in a column published Sunday. “While Jones’ acknowledged plans can always change, he wasn’t sweating out the deadline.”

Jones staying put suggested New England is interested in keeping the 31-year-old with the organization long term. The Patriots took care of multiple internal free agents last offseason, and Jones certainly fits the mold of a player who could receive similar treatment next spring.

But for now, Jones and his team will focus on finishing the season strong. New England’s next challenge comes Sunday when it visits the Chicago Bears.