Patriots CB Shaun Wade not focusing on the outside noise after latest team controversy

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - On Sunday, Bill Belichick opted to go in a different direction with the starting cornerbacks, giving Shaun Wade the opportunity. 

And while this was happening, J.C. Jackson and Jack Jones remained on the sidelines, with questions swarming about whether they were benched. 

Yet, with all this controversy happening around him, Wade remaining focused on doing the best he can for the team.

"Just do your job," Wade told A to Z Sports. "At the end of the day just keep doing your job. That’s all you can do.”

Wade was playing opposite of Jonathan Jones during the Commander's opening drives, while Jackson and Jack Jones sat on the bench. Jackson returned to the game on the Commanders third drive, while Jack Jones didn't see time until the second quarter. 

Despite all the controversy going on, this was an opportunity that Wade earned. And because he was showing improvement and continuing to work hard each and every day, he was rewarded with the start.  

"It felt great," Wade said about the opportunity. "I feel like just gaining the coach's trust and that comes with practice. I've been practicing better, so you see that on the field."

"Got more confidence and taking it one play at a time, taking it one day at a time. So that's what I've been doing."

Wade was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but the cornerback out of Ohio State was traded to the Patriots just a few months later. So his entire career has been spent in New England.

Through this entire situation, there has been one veteran player that has helped him above all. 

"(Jalen) Mills, my locker buddy," Wade said. "He always told me just play with confidence... You play with confidence you're going to be straight."

And Mills didn't hold back, when speaking with A to Z Sports about what he has seen from Wade and why he is so supportive of the third-year cornerback. 

"I've been there before," Mills said. "You want to see the veteran guys kind of rally around you because of course you believe in yourself, but you want the guys who play the games, multiple snaps, and they're showing belief in you too, I feel like that helps you."

"Wade comes in and works hard every day," Mills added. "So when he gets the opportunity, why not be happy for him? This is his time."

Heading into Sunday's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, the Patriots will be without J.C. Jackson who is reportedly not traveling with the team. He was missing from practice on Wednesday after the Patriots reportedly told him to stay home (via The Athletic's Jeff Howe). 

Jack Jones' status remains unknown, but the cornerback was at practice to start the week, which is a good sign. 

Yet, regardless of who takes the field for the Patriots, Mills has confidence in every player on the team. 

"Our defense is real, real flexible," Mills said. "If you're not studying, if you're not paying attention in meetings, that can show out in practice and that can also show out in games. So when we're able to go out there and still play fast regardless who's out there... and you don't have to think twice about who's over there... it just gives you trust in them and I think that's really what it comes down to."