Bill Belichick: Patriots had 'good conversation' with N'Keal Harry about WR's trade request
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Last week, N’Keal Harry said he would be happy if he stays in New England despite his agent requesting a trade on his behalf this summer. On Monday, it appears that the feeling is mutual.
During his morning news conference, Bill Belichick was about Harry’s development and the receiver’s status on the Patriots’ roster. Belichick lauded Harry’s conditioning and work ethic. When told that the receiver said he would be “absolutely” happy to stay with the Patriots, Belichick revealed that the relationship between him and his player hasn’t been damaged due to the trade request.
“N’Keal and I have talked about it,” Belichick said. “We had a good conversation. We have a good relationship, so I’m not going to get into all of that.”
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Belichick said that after being asked if he too would be happy to see Harry stick around New England.
Harry's agent, Jamal Tooson, publicly announced he requested a trade for his client on July 6. However, training camp started and Harry was still with the Patriots. Through the first four days of camp, Harry has looked solid – although he is in a crowded receiver room with Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers. Add in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and you can see why Harry would think he’d receive less opportunities this season.
The 6-4 receiver finished with 33 receptions, 309 yards and two touchdowns last season. The 2019 first-round pick’s career certainly hasn’t started like he or the team thought it would.
“I think N’Keal, like really all the other players that are out there, are working hard. They’re improving better than we were on Wednesday, which is a good thing,” Belichick said when asked about Harry’s start in training camp. ”Just need to keep the arrow pointing up and stay on the field and continue to progress from a scheme standpoint as we do more things and from a fundamental and technique standpoint for each individual player at his position. That’s really the time of year we’re at now. Glad N’Keal’s in good condition. He’s working hard. Again, keep continuing the day by day and as the competition unfolds, see where things stack up everywhere.”
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: N'Keal Harry: Bill Belichick said Patriots have good talk with WR
