Watch: New Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu Says Tom Brady Jokingly Offered Him No. 12

The New England Patriots acquired Mohamed Sanu through a trade deal, and it looks like Tom Brady is willing to give him his jersey number.

Just kidding.

Sanu said he was offered Brady’s number, but he allegedly turned the offer down.

Head coach Bill Belichick has words of praise for the new player.

“He’s a very experienced receiver,” Belichick said. “He’s had a lot of production. So, yeah. Glad to have him. See how it goes. … We go way back. … We saw everyone at Rutgers.”

“You’ve watched us play a lot. We’ve moved receivers around for 20 years,” Belichick said. “Sometimes guys play in one spot, sometimes they play in different spots. Depends on the formation, gameplan, play, personnel and so forth. See how it goes. He’s been in a couple different systems. We’ll have to see how all of that comes together.”

Adam Schefter reported that the Patriots have been long interested in Sanu.

“They’ve been trying to get him since before the draft,” Schefter said. “They offered a (second-round pick) before the draft, and the Falcons turned them down. The Falcons were in a different spot then than they are today losing games. When Atlanta lost Sunday and it was clear they’re not going to be making the type of run they’d like to, the Falcons decided to make the move.

“I think the two sides began intensifying discussions maybe Sunday night, maybe Monday and basically put the framework in place to get this done,” Schefter told WEEI.

“I believe that if the Patriots weren’t going to pay that price, I think other teams — I don’t know if they would go to a two — but keep in mind, with the Patriots, a two is like a (third-round pick) to other teams,” Schefter pointed out. “That’s the price of doing business. If New England wasn’t going to step up, there were going to be other teams that would have stepped up. There were enough other teams seeking wide receiver help. That’s what New England was going to have to pay to get this guy, New England has wanted this guy and New England finally has this guy. They need and want more help. They want that, and they got it in Sanu.”