New England Patriots first-round pick Sony Michel got a strong endorsement from one of the NFL’s best players this week.

During an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green said that Michel was his pick to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award in 2018. Like Michel, Green is a Georgia product and gave his fellow Bulldog a vote of confidence.

When asked by Schefter which pick in this year’s draft he liked, Green spoke highly of the value Michel would bring to New England.

“I like all of them but I love Sony,” Green said when asked about picks he liked. “You know his versatility. And him going to New England – that’s my pick for rookie of the year this year. Yup, mark that down.”

Michel was a bit of a surprise as the Patriots’ second pick of the first round during the 2018 draft. But while the team may not have had a high need for another running back, his talent and fit in New England aren’t really in question.

Green thinks that Michel will thrive in Bill Belichick’s system.

“I’ve seen him play. I know how versatile he is,” Green said. “You put him in a system like New England’s where he can be out there running routes and in the backfield, and all the other stuff going on against linebackers.”

n The New England Patriots got caught up in a report concerning the relationship between President Donald Trump and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly.

On Wednesday, The New York Times released a report concerning the perceived fraying relationship between the commander-in-chief and his chief of staff, following reports that Kelly had called the president “an idiot.”

One of the more peculiar details of the report, though, came toward the end. The Times reported that Kelly took issue with some ways that the president chose to use his time. One such example: spending too much time on the phone with football coaches.

From The New York Times:

“At a breakfast event last week for Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, Mr. Kelly marveled that Mr. Trump had spent a long time the day before on the phone with Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots’ coach, talking about the status of Tom Brady, the star quarterback, according to two people familiar with his remarks, one of whom was present.”

President Trump is a well-known supporter of the Patriots. In particular he’s known to be close with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Trump is also known to be a friend of Brady, something he mentioned repeatedly during his 2016 presidential campaign. Brady has also spoken well of Trump, calling him a “good friend.” However, as recently as December, Brady has reportedly distanced himself from the president.

The topic President Trump reportedly chose to linger on is an unsurprising one. The 40-year-old quarterback’s status heading into the 2018 season has been oddly murky this offseason.

COWBOYS: Jason Witten is retiring after 15 seasons, choosing the offer of lead analyst for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” over becoming the longest-tenured player in the history of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 11-time Pro Bowl tight end and Tony Gonzalez are the only tight ends in NFL history with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards.

BILLS: The NFL plans to contact the team regarding president Russ Brandon’s abrupt resignation amid allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a female employee.

The league released a statement saying it will discuss the matter and “make a decision in the next few days about what, if any, further steps we will take.”

FALCONS: Quarterback Matt Ryan became the league’s highest-paid player Thursday by agreeing to a five-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $150 million.

TRADE: Defensive tackle Akeem Spence has been acquired by Miami from Detroit for an undisclosed 2019 draft pick.

JETS: New York released quarterback Bryce Petty, according to multiple sources. Petty, a 2015 fourth-round pick, was 1-6 as a starter and became expendable with the Jets drafting Sam Darnold.

The Jets now have four quarterbacks on their active roster: projected starter Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, Christian Hackenberg and Darnold.

Bruce Arians, a two-time winner of the AP’s Coach of the Year who retired as coach of Cardinals in January, is joining CBS as an NFL game analyst.