Asante Samuel Tells Lamar Jackson Not to Play for Bill Belichick amid Patriots Rumors

Former NFL defensive back Asante Samuel spent five seasons playing for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, but he doesn't think Lamar Jackson should want to suit up for the legendary head coach in Foxboro.

Samuel tweeted Thursday:

Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon later responded to Samuel:

The Patriots selected Samuel in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft out of Central Florida. He spent five seasons with the franchise, winning two Super Bowls and three AFC championships.

Samuel posted some of his best seasons in a Patriots uniform, finishing his New England career with 22 interceptions, 79 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and 212 tackles in 75 games.

The 42-year-old then went on to sign a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and played for the franchise from 2008-2011 before being traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he ended his career.

Samuel has been vocal about his disdain for Belichick in the past, telling Betway Insider in February that the longtime head coach created a negative environment even when they were winning:

"It was not a good experience. People think we won, and that was great, but when we lost, the players would be depressed and down.

"I remember one day vividly. We won the game, but he cussed everybody out after the game. Everybody's walking around with their head down, and I'm like, 'What the hell is wrong with you? Pick your head up. Don't let this man take you down. We just won.'

"Do you know how hard it is to win games in the NFL? I never fell for none of that stuff."

Samuel added that Belichick is "just another everyday coach" because he has yet to win a Super Bowl title in the post-Tom Brady era.

Jackson revealed Monday that he requested a trade from the Baltimore Ravens on March 2 because the franchise "has not been interested in meeting my value" in contract discussions.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft then told reporters Monday that rapper Meek Mill texted him saying Jackson wanted to play for the Patriots. Kraft responded that it would be up to Belichick whether or not the franchise would pursue the 2019 MVP.

When the Patriots were preparing to host the Ravens in September, Belichick gushed about Jackson while speaking with reporters, saying he believes the veteran is "an MVP type of candidate."

However, the Patriots will not be pursuing Jackson this offseason, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe, which means Mac Jones will almost certainly be the team's starting signal-caller for the third straight season.

So, luckily for Samuel, Jackson is likely out of the picture for the Patriots anyway.