Patriots Draft Target Jayden Daniels Calls ‘Cap’ on Bogus Weather Forecast
Was NFL Draft prospect Jayden Daniels’ reported aversion to playing for the New England Patriots nothing more than just an “inaccurate forecast?”
Daniels, as reported by Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston on Monday night, was being encouraged by those around him to say clear of New England due to its potentially harsh winter weather conditions — placing his possible selection by the Pats at No. 3 overall in April’s draft in jeopardy.
Nov 18, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Heisman Trophy candidate LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Tiger Stadium.
Credit: Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports
However, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner took to X (the social media ‘artist’ formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday afternoon to clear the air on any doubts surrounding his desire to play in New England — posting that any potential hesitation to join New England is “cap,” or untrue.
“What I did hear about Daniels is that there are those in his camp who really would rather he not come to New England,” Perry originally reported. “And that’s probably climate-related, a guy who grew up in San Bernardino, California, played at Arizona State and LSU, and now all of a sudden is in Foxboro, Massachusetts and [is] trying to figure things out when it’s snowing and below freezing? Again I don’t think that would be a concern for the Patriots, but it would be interesting to see how he would embrace the area.”
Daniels has been projected as the Patriots most-likely selection by several mock-draft pundits — with USC’s Caleb Williams being selected by the Chicago Bears and No. 1 and the Washington Commanders following-up with UNC signal-caller Drake Maye at No. 2. The San Bernardino, California native completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also 10 rushing touchdowns making him one of the top dual-threat quarterback prospects in the nation.
Despite opting out of the on-field testing portion of last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, Daniels met with the Patriots contingent — an experience which the former LSU Tiger seemingly enjoyed. In fact, Daniels offers the following optimistic outlook when asked about potentially playing for the Patriots next season, and beyond.
“Yeah it would be dope," Daniels said Friday morning when asked about potentially being drafted by New England. "Obviously growing up and seeing what Tom Brady did there, six Super Bowls, that's tough to live up to. But it would be dope to come in there and see the success they had and help them get back on that track."
