Jets Reportedly Prompted Investigation of Patriots Sideline Staff During Game

The New York Jets filed an inquiry with the National Football League during their Week 7 loss to the New England Patriots to determine the identity of two individuals on the Patriots sideline. 

Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald initially reported the Jets' complaint:

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Due to a complaint initiated by the Jets, the NFL swept the Jets' locker room for bugs Sunday and interrogated three Patriots employees during the second quarter of the game, which resulted in a 30-23 victory for the Pats at Gillette Stadium, according to a source.

No wrongdoing was found, but the level of interrogation used was unprecedented, the source said.

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According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Robert Mastroddi, New York's security director, brought the issue to light during the third quarter of last week's game:

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Jets Security Director Robert Mastroddi made an inquiry with NFL Security regarding the presence of two individuals wearing headsets and Patriots attire, who were positioned outside of the bench area on the Patriots sideline. Mastroddi requested to know who they were, and expressed concern given their proximity to the Patriots bench.

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The employees work for Kraft Sports, which Florio noted is responsible for "in-stadium entertainment," with one of them being in charge of "keeping fresh batteries in the referee's in-stadium microphone." They were questioned by NFL security officers Lenny Bandy and Dick Farley.

Florio also noted Jets head coach Todd Bowles said Friday he knew "nothing about" New York's locker room being swept for bugs.

With the fallout from Deflategate still percolating, the Patriots are under the biggest microscope in sports right now. It would be foolish for the team to use any sketchy tactics to try to gain an advantage.