The Patriots fielded trade calls on Isaiah Wynn this offseason but opted to hang onto the fifth-year tackle. The team has since benched the former first-round pick, pointing to a 2023 exit. New England is entertaining the prospect of Wynn departing sooner.
Interest in Wynn has surfaced again ahead of the Nov. 1 trade deadline, according to NFL.com’s Mike Giardi, who notes (via Twitter) the Pats have received calls on both Wynn and Kendrick Bourne. Both players have seen their Pats stock plummet in 2022, leading to uncertainty about their places on the team going forward.
After playing 16 games last season, the once-injury-prone Wynn has stayed healthy this year as well. But the Pats have both changed Wynn’s position, moving him from left tackle to the right side, and benched him. Wynn was a healthy scratch against the Bears on Monday. Marcus Cannon, whom the Pats initially brought back as a practice squad stash this year, started in Wynn’s place against Chicago. With swing option Yodny Cajuste being designated for return this week, Wynn’s path back to regular duty becomes more complicated.
In six games this season, Wynn has committed an NFL-high eight penalties and been charged with three sacks allowed. Pro Football Focus has still viewed Wynn (39 career starts) as a plus run-blocking presence, but his trade value has dropped since this season began. Wynn’s fifth-year option salary ($10.4MM) also stands to interfere with a potential trade. If Wynn is not moved over the next week, he will almost certainly depart in free agency come March.
A formerly well-regarded 49ers auxiliary receiver, Bourne caught 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns last season. Despite being signed to a lower-cost deal, Bourne outperformed fellow UFA addition Nelson Agholor. Issues during training camp and the Pats’ receiver additions have affected Bourne’s status, and he did not play against the Bears. The ex-49er has just 11 catches for 156 yards this season. He has taken a backseat to trade acquisition DeVante Parker and second-round pick Tyquan Thornton in New England’s now-Matt Patricia-run offense.
Believed to be available for “the right price,” Bourne is signed through 2024 via the three-year, $15MM deal he signed last March. Trading the 27-year-old pass catcher would save the Patriots $5MM, and Bourne — attached to a $3.5MM 2022 base salary — may well welcome a scenery change given the way his year has gone.
If the Patriots are fully ready to be out of the Wynn business, it sure seems like he’d have a robust trade market. No matter how bearish on the guy you are, there are a ton of teams in need of even a remotely starting caliber tackle right now.
“remotely starting caliber tackle” pretty much sums up Wynn.
A whole lot of teams are doing much worse than Wynn at a tackle spot right now.
Bourne signed thru 2023 or 2024? If he signed in March 2021 I would have figured 2023 is his last year under contract if it was a 3 year deal
21 to 22, 22 to 23, 23 to 24.
I’m for any moves. Just wish the Pats had a shrewd FO exec that could take advantage of these moves and help the team rather than getting another 5th rd pick and drafting a FG kicker who wasn’t projected to be drafted.
To be fair, the 2022 draft is shaping up as a big success.
Jon Robinson should be on the phone for Wynn. Offer late Rd pick and eat the money. The O-Line is awful.
So it’s Kendrick who is generating trade interest?
Thanks for the
BOURNE IDENTITY !!