Patriots Rumors
Two More New England Patriots Mentioned in Trade Rumors
The 2024 NFL Trade Deadline arrives at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Earlier this month, three New England Patriots players were named among players possibly on the move. TE Austin Hooper, LB Joshua Uche, and CB Jonathan Jones were names rumored by CBS Sports among those most likely to be moved. The trio now has some company in the New England locker room.
Dianna Russini of “The Athletic” reported the San Francisco 49ers are looking to be buyers before the deadline, and the New England Patriots are open to selling.
“I’ve been told to keep an eye on the Patriots — who will listen to any proposal — with run-stuffing interior defensive lineman Davon Godchaux and ex-Niners wide receiver Kendrick Bourne among the possible targets,” reported Russini.
Also Read – Three New England Patriots Among NFL Trade Candidates
Does trading Kendrick Bourne or Davon Godchaux make sense for New England?
Why This Does Make Sense
Russini reports that Eliot Wolf will listen to any proposal, which is logical. The only player on the Patriots roster who should be deemed off-limits, barring a ridiculous offer, is rookie quarterback Drake Maye. Otherwise, everything is worth considering. New England sits at 1-6 entering their Week 8 game against the New York Jets. They will not be participating in this season’s playoffs. Head coach Jerod Mayo stated he views the team’s rebuild as “more than a one-year thing.”
If New England adds draft capital or young prospects for veteran players, it’s certainly worth considering. The Patriots played the first four games without Kendrick Bourne. His departure opens up more opportunities for the team’s young wide receivers, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Tyquan Thornton. Furthermore, Bourne has already been mentioned in trade rumors to San Francisco once this year. If he was unhappy about the rumors, New England certainly does not need more disgruntled employees in their wide receivers room.
No draft picks are sitting behind Godchaux on New England’s defensive line (the Patriots didn’t draft any). Godchaux’s 19 stops are second in the NFL among defensive tackles this season. Unlike some of his teammates, he has been largely productive in 2024. This means Godchaux has trade value. If the assets received are more valuable to New England than what Godchaux provides, especially beyond 2024, it could be a win-win deal.
Why This Does Not Make Sense
Eliot Wolf stated this past offseason that he wanted to do things “The Packer Way” with the New England Patriots. This consisted of drafting, developing, and extending core players. New England signed Kendrick Bourne and Davon Godchaux to new deals since Wolf took over. This indicates the executive considers both to be core players for the Patriots. Bourne agreed to a three-year deal before the start of the open signing period, when he would have become an unrestricted free agent. Godchaux agreed to an extension in training camp to keep him in Foxboro through 2026. He would have become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
The message trading these veterans sends to their teammates is also questionable. Bourne is considered a leader among the team’s wide receiver corps. He might have been a team captain had he been available throughout training camp and to start the season. Bourne indicated multiple times how much he’d like to remain with the New England Patriots. As stated here about the previous rumors about trading Joshua Uche, do the Patriots want to part ways with players who are happy to be in New England?
Godchaux has become more vocal this season, calling out teammates play as selfish at times. However, Jerod Mayo has indicated he approves of his players’ ability to voice their opinions. It appears Godchaux is more likely to become a future team captain than an outcast for his statements.
Specifically with Godchaux, trading him would indicate to everyone that the New England Patriots are throwing in the towel on 2024 and maybe 2025, too. His production is not easily replaced. Any team struggling mightily to stop the run, trading away their best run-stopper does not indicate a desire to compete.
Patriots Trade Deadline Prediction
The Patriots have avoided having their players as part of trade rumors for most of the past 25 years. Part of this is how tight-lipped the organization was under Bill Belichick, but the change also stems from New England’s place in the NFL’s hierarchy. The Patriots are now sellers instead of buyers. Far less harm is done by the rumor mill when teams are linked to acquiring outside talent instead of getting rid of their own.
There are already five New England Patriots whose names are floating in rumors leading up to the deadline. There could be more before Nov. 5 arrives. Whether Eliot Wolf pulls the trigger on any deal or not, he must be ready to defend it as making sense for his vision of building the team. Can he trade away veterans he signed who are locked up through 2026 and defend the logic? Everyone will know soon enough.