Adam Schefter explains why Joe Thuney won't be dealt

There's been a lot of talk this week involving a potential trade of Joe Thuney.

The Patriots guard signed his franchise tag deal, which counts for just under $15 million against the salary cap, but the team hoped to reach a long-term deal. The two sides reportedly are not close, which is why many expect a trade this week around the NFL Draft to free up a great deal of cap space, since the Patriots are working with just over $1 million.

But, appearing on The Greg Hill Show Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter explained why he doesn't see a trade happening not only with Thuney, but other players around the league.

“I don’t see that. I’m not sure where that is coming from," he said. "First of all, when you’re dealing a player like that, I know he’s signed, but he has to take a physical, teams are going to have to have a big contract extension with him. We are not in a time in our country where I think teams, many teams, are all that enthralled with giving out big money extensions. There is a lot of uncertainty involving football. And I have spoken to enough teams and enough people to know that while there are exceptions like Christian McCaffrey and Tom Brady, I think that with the pandemic in full swing, teams are more hesitant than ever to sign certain players to long-term extensions and that is why I think you will see certain players staying with their teams rather than moving on.

“Like, Trent Williams I think gets traded from the Washington Redskins, but he is on a contract this year for $13 million. Some team will take it and I think they will be happy to do that. But, Yannick Ngakoue, Matt Judon, some of these other players like that — last year Dee Ford was traded for a lot, signed an extension, Frank Clark was traded for a lot, signed an extension. Why is that not happening with Ngakoue? Why is that not happening with Matt Judon? Because it is a different market. Teams are proceeding with tremendous caution in terms of giving out money.

“So, if you are trading for Joe Thuney, not only are you not giving him a physical, now you have to negotiate a contract, and even though he is a really good young player, I am just telling you, owners, some owners are being very, very careful right now, as they should. We have no idea if there is going to be a full schedule, a shortened schedule, fans, no fans, what form the sport will take. There’s a lot of questions that offer a lot of uncertainty.”

It was reported Wednesday that the Dolphins are considering trading for the 27-year-old guard.