Patriots Journal: Guerrero situation appears to have been resolved

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It looks like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have reached a compromise over Alex Guerrero.

Brady’s body coach, trainer and business partner traveled with the Patriots on the team plane to Charlotte for the Patriots' preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Last season, Guerrero had a handful of privileges revoked and that reportedly caused friction between Brady and Belichick. [...]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It looks like Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have reached a compromise over Alex Guerrero.

Brady’s body coach, trainer and business partner traveled with the Patriots on the team plane to Charlotte for the Patriots' preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Last season, Guerrero had a handful of privileges revoked and that reportedly caused friction between Brady and Belichick.

Guerrero has been a fixture around the team. It wasn’t unusual to see him on the sideline or in the locker room after games. Last season, however, Guerrero was noticeably absent and then it was reported that he was no longer allowed on the team plane, sideline or allowed to treat players not named Brady at Gillette Stadium. In Brady’s Facebook miniseries "Tom vs. Time"last year, the trainer was shown working with Brady in a suite inside Gillette Stadium prior to a game.

Considering Guerrero not only runs Brady’s TB12 Center in Patriots Place, but is also the godfather to Brady’s son, Benny, it wasn’t a surprise to hear that quarterback was upset with the situation. It was reported that the Patriots training staff had mixed feelings about Guerrero’s dealing with Patriots players. The trainer, with a holistic approach, also works with Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.

According to the Boston Globe, Guerrero would not be allowed back on the sideline. That would make it seem like Brady and Belichick have come to some sort of resolution.

Guerrero was seen in the locker room during the media’s player availability this week.

The new of Guerrero traveling with the Patriots was first reported by the NFL Network.

Hollister out

Jacob Hollister sat out Friday night’s game against the Panthers due to health reasons. It’s not known what the tight end is dealing with, but a source told the Providence Journal that it’s not considered serious. The second-year player has been a bright spot for the Patriots this offseason. Hollister put on weight and his connection with Brady has been growing.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the undrafted free agent factor into the offense more this season.

Hollister wasn’t on the field, but Rob Gronkowski was. The All-Pro tight end made his preseason debut on Friday after sitting out the first two games. Gronkowski appeared in two preseason games in 2017.

Along with Hollister, Marcus Cannon, Sony Michel, Braxton Berrios, Trey Flowers, Duke Dawson, Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner, Harvey Langi, Ryan Izzo, Isaiah Wynn and Rex Burkhead were absent on Friday.

Langi was seen in the locker room last week, which is a good sign. The linebacker, who missed last year due to a car accident, suffered an internal injury early in training camp. After being hit in the side, it was discovered he had an internal laceration. His last practice was on Aug. 3. According to a source, there’s no set date for his return.

Trade brewing?

Could the Patriots make a big trade before the regular season starts? At least one NFL insider thinks it’s possible.

On Friday, Mike Florio of profootballtalk.com speculated that Denver could part ways with receiver Demaryius Thomas and the Patriots would be a logical destination.

Thomas, 30, caught 83 passes for 949 yards and five touchdowns last season. Thomas had over 1,000 receiving yards for five straight seasons from 2012-2016. At 6-foot-3, 229 pounds, Thomas would give Brady another big target.

Thomas was also drafted by Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels when McDaniels was the head coach of the Broncos. After the Patriots released Kenny Britt this week, the offense could use some more size. With Julian Edelman about to serve a four-game suspension, the Pats will rely on Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson and Eric Decker.

Thomas is currently a $12,033,333 cap hit in Denver. He has a base salary of $8.5 million. The Patriots have just over $8.1 million in salary cap space. In order for the deal to work, Thomas would need to restructure his contract or the Pats would have to make a series of roster cuts to free up the space.