The New England Patriots trading picks with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2023 NFL Draft was reportedly about much more than merely adding additional assets to their arsenal.
Slated to select at 14 overall, the Patriots traded back three places in the order after doing a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, the Boston-based franchise received the number 17 overall pick and a fourth-rounder, the 120th overall pick, as compensation.
The Patriots picked Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the first round. After moving up in the order, the Steelers added offensive tackle Broderick Jones out of Georgia, the fourth offensive lineman to go in the opening round after Paris Johnson Jr., Peter Skoronski and Darnell Wright.
The Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora reports that the Patriots, particularly coach Bill Belichick, had an ulterior motive to part with their number 14 overall pick. “They should have had to give up a [third-rounder] and not a four to move up there,” an anonymous NFL general manager told La Canfora.
“Belichick did it just to f--- the Jets. He sold low because he knew the Steelers were going to take the kid the Jets wanted to take … I think the trade totally blindsided them. They were scrambling.”
The suggestion was also corroborated by another anonymous executive, agreeing that Belichick was well aware of the implications. “Bill will try to screw them over any chance he gets,” they added.
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The Jets reportedly targeted Jones at number 15 overall after dropping down two places in the order from 13th due to swapping their first-rounder with the Green Bay Packers in the Aaron Rodgers trade. Had they not done so, they would have been able to select the former Bulldog one pick before the Steelers did.
Instead, the Jets selected Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald. Eventually, they addressed their need at offensive tackle - which only became more of a priority after adding Rodgers - in the fourth round.
Ironically, it was with pick 120 overall. The Jets obtained that from the Patriots after a trade that allowed the latter to move up and select placekicker Chad Ryland at 112.
The ill feeling between Belichick and the Jets dates back to the second of two stints as coach at the franchise during the 1990s. At the end of the 1999 season, Belichick became head coach of the Jets after the incumbent Bill Parcells stepped down and arranged that Belichick would be his successor.
But Belichick had other ideas. His tenure lasted just a single day, with the coach announcing his resignation while being introduced as their new appointment. Belichick used the media conference to deliver a half-hour speech explaining his reasons.
Days later, the Patriots were introducing him as their new head coach and the rest is history. Incensed, the Jets demanded compensation, receiving a first-round draft pick in return.
