Fansided

Patriots’ film leaked, penalties coming after wrongdoing

By Matt Verderame

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots filmed the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline last week in Cleveland, and the footage was leaked on Sunday morning by FOX’s Jay Glazer.

Things aren’t going well for the New England Patriots. On Sunday morning, they got much worse.

On the FOX NFL Sunday show, footage was shown of the Patriots filming the Cincinnati Bengals sideline from the press box during their game with the Cleveland Browns last week. The footage was obtained by insider Jay Glazer. While only a minute or so of the video was shown, it was made clear the camera operator was trained on the Cincinnati sideline, and then offered to delete the tape when approached by Bengals security.

You can see below the release from FOX Sports:

According to Glazer, the NFL is hoping to wrap up its investigation quickly. Both Glazer and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports also report the league will be penalizing New England. La Canfora relayed his sources have told him to expect a large fine and the forfeiture of at least one draft pick.

It remains to be seen whether the Patriots’ coaching staff knew about the film and its intent. The employee who was questioned by the Bengals was working for Robert Kraft productions, which supposedly was there to help film an episode on an advance scout for the acclaimed team video series, Do Your Job.

Regardless, it’s a horrendous look for the Patriots. The organization has been in trouble before with SpyGate and DeflateGate. At best, this is sloppy work and a complete lack of understanding for NFL protocols. At worst, it’s a shockingly lacking attempt at cheating.