One of the more amusing headlines over the past week surrounded Matthew Stafford and his disinterest in the New England Patriots.

The 12-year-veteran spent his career with the Detroit Lions and moved on in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, but he kept his options open through the process. Speculation spread about Stafford’s landing spots, but many believed the disconnect between the quarterback and Matt Patricia kept him away.

Tedy Bruschi believed Stafford lacked toughness to play in New England, and his theory wasn’t the only one to populate through sports media. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who’s friends with Stafford and backed him up at quarterback for three years, downplayed the hype.

“First of all, Matthew’s one of my dear friends,” Orlovsky said on WEEI’s “Dale & Keefe Show,” “I talked to him about this whole process often. He never once mentioned anything in terms of not wanting to go to New England to me. He was very clear with what was going on and who the teams were that were involved. He certainly had preferred destinations, but never once, like even in joking, said, ‘I ain’t going to New England.’ So he never shared that information with me.”

It’s very unlikely the Patriots re-sign Cam Newton this offseason and the options with veterans is slim. Bill Belichick will have to pull a miracle to get his franchise quarterback and steer the future of the Patriots in the right direction.