Not even Bill Belichick's admiration for Ed Reed's body of work is enough to get the Patriots to sign the 35-year-old safety. At least according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who reports that the Jets and Saints could possibly be interested but New England is not.

Reed, who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career in Baltimore where he racked up a Super Bowl ring and Hall of Fame credentials, signed with the Texans this off-season. Despite a three-year, $15 deal, Reed was benched two weeks ago and released earlier this week.

Belichick was asked about the possibility on Wednesday and, as you might expect, he didn't offer up much.

“We try to stay ahead of that and, of course, sometimes that depends on what our situation is," the coach said. "There are a lot of players that could be available out there [and] if you have a need at a certain position and it’s a fit, then you’re more interested or more apt to do something.”

You could argue the Pats do have a need; Steve Gregory is sidelined with a broken thumb and 2012 second-round pick Tavon Wilson hasn't played well.

“I think overall, we’ve had pretty solid play out of the five guys,” Belichick said, adding that Wilson missed some time with injuries.

And while Belichick didn't say it, there's also this: Reed is on the downside of a fantastic career and there's a reason the Texans cut him loose: He's nowhere near the player he once was. Through eight games, Reed not only didn't have an interception, he didn't have a single pass defended.

Maybe he recaptures his youth with the Jets where he would be reunited with his former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Whatever happens, it sounds like the Pats aren't interested.