Multiple sources tell us in the wake of the deal that sent receiver Randy Moss from the Patriots to the Vikings for a third-round pick that the trade became a necessity because Moss was becoming an in-house distraction for the Patriots.
Per one source, Moss “was pissing [coach] Bill [Belichick] off at every turn.” The source opined that Belichick wouldn’t have given Moss to Minnesota for a third-round pick unless Belichick knew that keeping him could hurt the team.
As another source explained it, some players were becoming more and more frustrated with Moss, who reportedly asked for a trade after his Week One postgame tirade regarding his perceived lack of appreciation, based on the actual lack of a contract extension.
That said, other players in the locker room liked Moss and had no problem with him. Still, if enough of them had enough of Moss and if Belichick was indeed growing weary of dealing with the downside of a guy Belichick didn’t plan to bring back in 2011, the move makes plenty of sense.