According to the Boston Herald, the Patriots are not "actively shopping" QB Ryan Mallett.

According to the Boston Globe's Greg Bedard, the Patriots would not be willing to accept anything less than a second-round pick for Ryan Mallett.

Bedard insists New England would feel just "fine keeping" Mallett after putting "two years in(to) developing him." Bedard expects the Patriots to ask for "at least a second" round pick in potential trade discussions. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, formerly of the Boston Herald, sounded much more sure Monday that Mallett would be moved. He certainly seems to be available.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Patriots are expected to "entertain offers" for Ryan Mallett on the heels of Tom Brady's contract extension.

The Pats have Brady (cheaply) locked in for the next five seasons, and Mallett's rookie deal runs out in 2015. "I think it means he's gonna be traded," Rapoport said of Mallett. The Browns seem likely to at least explore the possibility of a trade, and might be the team Bill Belichick calls first. We suspect Mallett would be available for a second-rounder. Cleveland does not have a second-rounder in April's draft, but could either put together a package of 2013 picks or offer a second-round selection from a future draft.

ESPN Cleveland believes it's "still not out of the question" that the Browns pursue New England's Ryan Mallett.

Beat writer Tony Grossi concedes such a move would be "problematic" since the Browns are without a second-round pick, and would likely have to surrender a third for Mallett. That would leave them with no day-two picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said his "sense" was that the Patriots value Mallett "more than other teams do right now." It's highly doubtful he winds up in Cleveland. Grossi believes the stars are aligning for Brandon Weeden to get a second chance in Cleveland.

ESPN's Adam Schefter's "sense" is that the Patriots believe in Ryan Mallett "more than other teams do right now."

Meaning, the Pats are likely to come away unimpressed with potential trade offers. Per Schefter, the Pats have "really been impressed" with Mallett's performance in practices, while new offensive assistant Brian Daboll believes Mallett could have won the starting job with Daboll's Chiefs last season. The Pats have a history of pumping Tom Brady's backups up through the media, but are doing their best to appear genuinely enthused about Mallett's future. The 2011 third-round pick is signed through 2014.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer "still hears" that Ryan Mallett won't be an option for the Browns this offseason.

There's been speculation that the Browns could pursue a trade for Mallet, as VP Mike Lombardi had him rated as the top quarterback in the 2011 draft. However, it sounds like their preference is to add competition for Brandon Weeden either through the draft or free agency. The Browns also don't have a second-round pick in 2013, and it's assumed that the Patriots would want at least a Day Two pick for in return for Mallett.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Browns aren't expected to pursue a trade for the Patriots' Ryan Mallett.

New VP of Player Personnel Michael Lombardi has long been enamored with Mallett, and as soon as he landed the gig with Cleveland, speculation began to build that the team could offer up the No. 68 overall pick in the draft to entice New England. Beat writer Mary Kay Cabot mentions Matt Flynn and Alex Smith as potential trade options, but she doesn't directly link the Browns as having interest in either player.

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss believes the Patriots would trade Ryan Mallett "in a heartbeat" if they were offered an early second-round pick.

Reiss' response to a chat question about Mallett suggests he doesn't believe the Pats fancy him as Tom Brady's heir apparent. (We don't believe they do, either.) Reiss says he'd be "surprised" if New England got that kind of offer, but it's not impossible. Perhaps new Browns personnel boss Mike Lombardi -- a known Mallett lover -- would dangle the 68th and 101st overall picks.

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, new Browns VP of Player Personnel Mike Lombardi had Ryan Mallett rated as the top quarterback in the 2011 draft.

Mort expects the Browns to strongly consider a move for Mallett, but did note that Cleveland does not have a 2013 second-round pick after using it on Josh Gordon in the 2012 Supplemental Draft. If Lombardi truly desires Mallett, he could consider sending the Patriots a future first-rounder or future package of picks. Although Mallett has attempted just four career regular season passes, the Patriots aren't going to give him up for peanuts.

The Boston Globe's Greg Bedard suggests that Ryan Mallett could be targeted by the Browns via trade now that Mike Lombardi is Cleveland's VP of Player Personnel.

Lombardi was one of the few media types smitten with Mallett before the 2011 draft, stating in April of that year that he was "convinced" Mallett would be a top-20 pick. Mallett was drafted 74th by the Patriots. It's no secret Lombardi isn't high on Brandon Weeden, and big-armed Mallett would be a fit for Rob Chudzinski's vertical offense. The Pats would probably want a second-round pick.

ESPN's John Clayton suggests the Browns could show trade interest in Patriots backup QB Ryan Mallett.

The Browns are in the market for both a new head coach and general manager. Until that's settled, we have no idea what the feelings will be on 2012 first-round pick Brandon Weeden. In four preseason appearances this season, Mallett completed 33-of-67 passes for 300 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He barely beat out Brian Hoyer for the right to hold Tom Brady's clipboard.

Coach Bill Belichick confirmed Sunday that Ryan Mallett earned the Patriots' No. 2 quarterback job this preseason.

The Pats confirmed as much by waiving Brian Hoyer. "He's in the on-deck circle," Belichick said of Mallett. "He's the next guy ... He's earned that spot now." The 74th overall pick in last year's draft, Mallett went 25-of-48 (52.1 percent) for 211 yards (4.4 YPA), three touchdowns and no interceptions in New England's final three preseason games. He did look composed and talented enough to keep New England's offense moving in the event of a Tom Brady injury.

Coach Bill Belichick says the competition for the No. 2 QB job is "tight."

Ryan Mallett is battling Brian Hoyer. Through four preseason games, Mallett has seen 123 snaps to just 87 for Hoyer. Neither has been particularly impressive, with Mallett completing only 49.3 percent of his passes, and Hoyer even worse at just 46.8 percent.

Patriots QB Ryan Mallett completed just 10-of-20 passes for 105 yards and one touchdown in Monday night's preseason game against the Eagles.

Recently tagged as a camp disappointment by two media outlets, Mallett was unimpressive for the second consecutive game. Of course, this time around, Mallett was facing the Eagles starters while working with the Patriots second team. He's completed 26-of-57 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions this preseason. Brian Hoyer remains the favorite for No. 2 duties.

The Boston Globe agrees with CSN New England's assessment that QB Ryan Mallett has been one of the disappointments of Patriots camp.

Mallett completed just 16-of-37 passes for 178 yards and two interceptions in Thursday's preseason opener. Assessing his play, beat writer Greg Bedard opined that Mallett "just didn't look comfortable," and the "game is not coming naturally to him." Bedard believes Mallett "appears to be thinking way too much," and has had only one practice where he "looked the part." The pressure will be on Mallett in New England's final three preseason games.

CSN New England's Tom Curran nominates QB Ryan Mallett as one of the biggest disappointments in Patriots training camp.

"Ryan Mallett has an opportunity to lay claim to being the heir apparent to Tom Brady," said Curran, "and he just hasn't done it." Mallett's camp work has drawn mixed reviews. While beat writers have unanimously questioned Mallett's decisiveness and accuracy, ESPN's Adam Schefter was told last week by reliable sources that the 2011 third-rounder has looked "very good.'

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on SportsCenter Wednesday that Ryan Mallett has made major strides in his second NFL training camp.

Citing "the people who've watched him in practices," Schefter stated that Mallett has looked like the kind of quarterback he was hailed to be while seemingly overcoming past off-field issues. "This summer, (Mallett) has looked like the type of top quarterback prospect that many people thought he was coming out of Arkansas," Schefter said. "He's picked up the system, he's looked very good." Expect Mallett to get a ton of snaps in preseason games.

"By all accounts," Ryan Mallett had a productive rookie year with the Patriots, notes the Boston Herald.

Although Mallett's work ethic was questioned entering the 2011 draft, he received high marks for practice work, a willingness to stay late to hone fundamentals, and tightening his body in a professional training regimen. After an "inconsistent" showing in offseason practices, Mallett is once again slated for the No.3 QB job.

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss suggests that the Patriots might use their second preseason game to showcase Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer for potential trade interest.

Mallett and Hoyer were likely to take the majority of the second preseason game snaps anyway, but this particular game will be nationally televised on ESPN against the Eagles. ESPN Boston is the latest New England outlet to hint that the Pats might be willing to deal Mallett or Hoyer. The Boston Herald has also alluded to it. The Pats' second preseason game will be played in August 20.

Director of player personnel Nick Caserio confirms the Patriots will listen to offers for backup quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer.

Caserio's wording suggests those calls have yet to be fielded. Mallett would likely cost at least a second-round pick with Hoyer scheduled to hit free agency in 2013. Entering the offseason, Hoyer was still clearly ahead of Mallett on depth chart.