New England Patriots News & Rumors

Patriots Turning Down Interest In Christian Gonzalez; K.J. Osborn Wants To Be Traded?

The Patriots have made one move on the trade front so far, and more could be coming. To little surprise, interest has been shown in several of the team’s players, although some are off limits at this point.

Multiple teams have called about cornerback Christian Gonzalezveteran insider Josina Anderson reports (video link). She adds New England’s top pick from last year is “not for sale,” which comes as little surprise. Attached to his rookie contract through at least 2026 (potentially 2027, if his fifth-year option were to be picked up), Gonzalez represents an obvious building block for the rebuilding franchise.

The former No. 17 selection was limited to just four games during his rookie season, but he has been healthy so far in 2024. Gonzalez has served as a full-time starter, collecting 37 tackles, one interception and four pass deflections. His coverage statistics (57.1% completion percentage, 77.4 passer rating allowed) are improved compared to last season, and expectations will remain high moving forward for him as a central figure in the team’s secondary.

Fellow cornerback Jonathan Jones is also set to remain in New England, but other positions are worth watching as the November 5 deadline approaches. Wide receiver is chief among them, and the team has been shopping Tyquan Thornton recently. The 24-year-old is on the books through 2024, but his limited production has left his trade value rather low. Veteran K.J. Osborn has a stronger resume, but as a pending free agent he too is unlikely to fetch considerable draft capital in a trade. The latter is nevertheless a strong candidate to be dealt in the coming days.

Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal said during a Friday appearance on WEEI that at least one receiver move should be expected, adding Osborn is the likeliest to be shipped out (video link). The free agent addition has seen his workload decrease considerably in recent weeks, leading to frustration being expressed. New England’s other wideout options (including rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker) could be in line for increased time in the event an Osborn deal – something which has previously been floated – were to be worked out.

Giardi adds the 27-year-old has stated a desire to be traded away to both the Patriots and the local media, making him one of several receivers worth watching closely. Osborn’s base salary for the season is only $1.18MM, so any number of buyers could absorb the remainder of that figure rather comfortably. He has posted just 57 yards and one touchdown on seven receptions to date, but prior to 2024 Osborn proved to be a solid depth complementary option in Minnesota. He could soon find himself aiming to replicate that role on a new team.

Examining Final Stage Of WR Trade Market

The top dominoes on the wide receiver trade market have likely fallen. Third-round picks changed hands in the Davante Adams and Amari Cooper swaps, and DeAndre Hopkins will join Adams as a Hall of Fame candidate — one who can now bolster his case by moving the needle for a Chiefs threepeat bid.

Diontae Johnson also wound up in a second trade this year, albeit for lower-than-expected compensation. This offseason also brought the likes of Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen and Jerry Jeudy being traded, marking another busy year — both contractually and transactionally — at the position.

More pieces figure to be moved before the deadline. Here is where things stand with the remaining trade chips at the receiver position:

Likely departures

Darius Slayton, Giants

This Giants regime attempted to move on from Slayton two years ago, leaving the proven target out of the starting lineup into training camp and cutting his pay on a rookie contract. Slayton ended up mattering quite a bit in Brian Daboll‘s first year, which produced a surprise playoff berth despite Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay producing next to nothing and Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson suffering season-ending injuries. Slayton, as he has throughout his career, remained a reliable albeit unspectacular Daniel Jones weapon. Slayton, 27, has led the Giants in receiving four times since being a 2019 fifth-round pick but has never eclipsed 800 yards, illustrating the long-running issues plaguing this aerial attack.

Malik Nabers arrived as a result of those issues (and the Patriots passing on the Giants’ trade-up bid for Drake Maye), but Slayton has not been marginalized. The sixth-year wideout, with 420 yards in eight games, is on pace for a career-high total. He continues to aid Jones, but with the Giants falling to 2-6 and having a Commanders matchup on tap, teams will call on Slayton. Linked to several big-name receivers this year, the Steelers are believed to be interested. The Texans may be lurking as well.

Just more than $1.3MM remains on Slayton’s through-2024 contract, and although a recent report pointed to a high asking price, this remains the best chance for the Giants to collect an asset for a player they did not extend — despite the veteran’s efforts to secure better terms — this offseason.

Mike Williams, Jets

Williams is 30, coming off an ACL tear and on a team that has rendered him to the periphery following the Adams acquisition. The free agency pickup combined for one reception since Adams’ Week 7 debut and has just 11 catches for 160 yards in eight games as a Jet. With Allen Lazard regaining steam with Aaron Rodgers healthy, it is unsurprising the Jets started shopping Williams in earnest immediately after the Adams trade. Just more than $2.3MM will remain on the former top-10 pick’s contract after tonight’s game; the Jets will wait until after their Week 9 matchup to see if a worthwhile offer emerges.

Considering the rumor volume here, enough smoke exists to predict a second Williams separation from a team this year. The Saints and Steelers have pursued him, though at 2-6, New Orleans no longer profiles as a buyer despite being in on Adams weeks ago. The Jets also are in a seller’s position, though GM Joe Douglas‘ job being on the line may keep the subtractions to a minimum. The Chargers are 4-3 and have inquired about bringing the 2017 draftee back, despite cutting him in March.

Lazard’s Thursday IR placement does throw a wrench in teams’ potential plans to trade for Williams. He was previously viewed as a near-certainty to be dealt. It would be interesting if that injury prompted the Jets to take Williams off the market due to the high-stakes circumstances tied to this season.

A to-be-determined Patriot

Three separate Pats wideouts — K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and trade-rumor fixture Kendrick Bourne — have been tied to potential moves. At 2-6, New England will need to aim for some moves before next week’s deadline. Bourne, 29, has indicated he would like to stay to help the team’s Drake Maye-fronted rebuild. In addition to Thornton being one of many highly drafted Bill Belichick wideouts who have failed to take off in Foxborough, second-year target Kayshon Boutte has griped about his role.

This fluid situation will almost definitely involve one trade. Osborn, Bourne’s rumor regularity notwithstanding, may be the more likely veteran piece New England deals. The Pats are believed to be shopping he and Bourne, despite the latter having re-signed (on a three-year, $19MM deal) in March. The 49ers, who wanted Bourne back during Brandon Aiyuk trade talks with the Patriots this summer, appear to be standing down at the position following Aiyuk’s injury. The Pats signed Osborn for one year and $4MM, but just $1.18MM consists of base salary, providing relative value for teams, as Osborn has two 600-plus-yard seasons as a Vikings slot on his resume.

Calls coming in

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Carson Palmer‘s quasi-retirement and a Jason Campbell injury producing a monster offer (first- and second-rounders) brought the Bengals to make a deadline trade; Carlos Dunlap becoming a malcontent before the 2020 deadline keyed another such move. Teams have asked about Higgins for a while, as the former second-rounder requested a trade in March. Despite a failure to complete an extension with Ja’Marr Chase this offseason, the Bengals have made it clear the younger WR is their long-term priority.

Higgins is tied to a $21.8MM franchise tag tender, being the only 2024 tag recipient not extended this offseason. Couple that $10MM-plus salary number, if traded after Week 9, and the Bengals’ past and it is a mortal lock the longtime Chase wingman finishes the season in Cincinnati. Higgins, 25, could be re-tagged in 2025, giving the Bengals another window to move on if/once they hold onto him at this year’s deadline.

Cooper Kupp, Rams

The Rams made news earlier this month by both confirming they had received calls on Kupp and a separate report suggesting the team was shopping him. The Chiefs, Bills and Steelers are among the teams to discuss Kupp with the Rams; Kansas City is believed to have preferred Kupp to the player ultimately acquired (Hopkins). But the Rams have won two straight, the second of which featuring Kupp and Puka Nacua back at work.

Sean McVay has all but confirmed Kupp is not going anywhere, and the Rams — who had wanted a return that surpassed the Adams price (conditional third-round pick) — have the former triple-crown winner signed through 2026.

D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks

At this season’s outset, Deebo Samuel appeared much less likely than Metcalf to play out a three-year contract inked during training camp in 2022. Now, Samuel is back as the 49ers’ No. 1 wideout (thanks to Aiyuk’s injury) and Metcalf is drawing trade interest. Calls have come in on the sixth-year pass catcher, who is tied to a three-year, $72MM extension that runs through 2025. The Seahawks, however, are not expected to move their top wideout.

Paired with Tyler Lockett for six seasons, Metcalf is a more appealing trade option due to his age (26). Lockett is 32, and while it is worth wondering the Seahawks would be more amenable to moving the older player, no rumors have swirled there. Seattle has hired a new coaching staff and would drop to 4-5 with a loss to Los Angeles this weekend, but it appears the Mike Macdonald-run team will stick with the big-bodied target throughout the season before potentially reassessing ahead of his contract year.

On trade radar

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

The Raiders did extensive work on the past two quarterback classes, going elsewhere in 2023 and then seeing an effort to trade up for Jayden Daniels predictably fail this year. Las Vegas is between eras at quarterback, with a flood of rumors set to tie the team to the 2025 class undoubtedly coming soon.

The team already picked up a Jets 2025 third-rounder, but with Meyers initially signed to continue working under his three-year Patriots OC (Josh McDaniels), he makes sense as a trade chip as well. Although the Raiders were rumored to want to keep the sixth-year vet, teams are monitoring his status. The Texans, whose GM (Nick Caserio) was in place when the Pats signed Meyers as a UDFA, may be one of them. Meyers’ three-year, $33MM deal runs through 2025; no guarantees are on the accord post-2024.

Josh Palmer, Chargers

Drafted by current Raiders GM Tom Telesco, Palmer is not believed to be in the Jim Harbaugh-run Chargers’ plans much longer. The former third-round pick has been productive in recent years, as injuries to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen proved frequent in that span.

Capable of playing inside and outside, Palmer would be of interest to a team that misses on Slayton — if, in fact, the six-year Giant is moved. The Bolts are believed to be open trading Palmer, potentially wanting someone else to fill in alongside new top target Ladd McConkey. Palmer appears likely to leave as a free agent in March, so it is logical — even at 4-3 — for the Chargers to consider moving on now.

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Never one to be excluded from rumors during one of the NFL’s trade windows, Sutton remains the Broncos’ top wideout. His purpose is now boosting Bo Nix‘s development, which is going better than most expected. As Nix won NFL Rookie of the Month honors for October, Sutton is still coming up as a candidate to be moved. The Steelers are interested, to the point they may have the ex-Russell Wilson weapon as their lead trade target. This is old hat for the seventh-year player, who has been coming up in trade rumors since the 2022 deadline. Sean Payton confirmed his WR1 drew more interest this year.

Sutton, 29, is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal — one that has become rather team-friendly, especially with no 2025 guarantees in place — that features just a $1.13MM base salary. Because the Broncos restructured the deal for cost-saving purposes, Sutton would tag them with more than $15MM in dead money — an amount that would be spread between this year and next in the event of a trade. The low salary would appeal to trade suitors, but with Wilson set to count more than $30MM against the Broncos’ 2025 cap, taking on another chunk of dead money now would be a curious strategy. Sutton’s exit would come as strange due to his importance to Nix’s growth and the Broncos having declined a third-round offer from the 49ers in August.

Jonathan Mingo, Adam Thielen, Panthers

Thielen is a 34-year-old receiver on a Panthers team early in a rebuild. No guarantees remain on the ex-Viking’s three-year, $25MM contract for 2025, making him a logical trade candidate. This topic came up recently, and despite the Panthers trading Johnson already, it is doubtful they would pass on offers to keep Thielen, who profiles as a 2025 cut candidate. The former Minnesota UDFA, who tacked on a third 1,000-yard season to his resume last season, remains in the IR-return window after a hamstring injury.

A 2023 second-round pick who has not thus far justified his draft slot, Mingo came up recently as a player who is probably not part of the Panthers’ long-term plans. Mingo may have more trade value, despite the accomplishment gap between these Carolina targets, due to his age and contract status. The Ole Miss alum’s rookie deal runs through 2026, though he is sitting on just 12 catches for 121 yards despite not missing a game this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/30/24

Today’s minor moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

AFC East Notes: Reddick, Jets, Maye, Bills

Haason Reddick made his Jets debut last week, bringing an end to one of the longest holdouts in many years. Reddick pushed for a multiyear deal, believing the Jets reneged on their pledge to conduct true extension talks with him during the offseason. The Jets, however, had maintained they were not willing to discuss a long-term deal before their trade pickup began work in their defense. This led to a months-long standoff, being one of the contributing factors to the Jets’ 2-6 record. Reddick, who returned to the Jets after receiving an incentive-laden boost, played 26 defensive snaps as a backup in Week 8.

The Jets had made Reddick an offer to sweeten his 2024 compensation before the season started, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport noting the team’s proposal included $20MM for this year. The revised offer would have allowed the veteran edge rusher to recoup the fines he lost during training camp, though it is not known if this was a true raise from the $14.25MM salary he was due to make or another incentive package. Reddick, 30, turned that money down and continued to seek a trade. He has since regrouped with the Jets and will aim to secure solid terms as a 2025 free agent, but this holdout probably did not help him on that front.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • The Jets have until Tuesday to trade Mike Williams, and all signs are pointing to a separation. No move is expected to occur until after the Jets’ Thursday-night Texans matchup, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Gang Green has been linked to shopping Williams since even before the Davante Adams trade, and the effort began in earnest after the team acquired the ex-Aaron Rodgers Green Bay target. Williams, 30, has generated interest from the Steelers, Saints and Chargers and likely among other teams as well. The Jets falling to 2-7 would make them surefire sellers, but for now, they are waiting to see the market crystallize and holding onto the trade chip.
  • Before Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich stripped Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties, Robert Saleh had informed the second-generation Jets OC he would be demoted. Prior to the since-fired HC’s directive, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes Hackett and Todd Downing had split game-planning responsibilities. They are continuing to do so, though it is now Downing who has final say on what goes in the game plan and what does not. The Jets are 0-3 with Downing calling plays, however, and remain in the same place they were (25th) in terms of scoring offense at the time Hackett was demoted.
  • As could be expected, the Jets are almost certain to pass on Ulbrich as the full-time HC if the team misses the playoffs, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt offers. Considering Ulbrich is 0-3 in the interim role, it would take a dramatic turnaround to convince the organization to not go with an outside hire — as every team but the Raiders has since 2017 — rather than remove their current leader’s interim tag.
  • David Edwards has bounced back from a concussion-marred 2022 and a 2023 season spent as a Bills backup. Stepping in as Buffalo’s starting left guard this season, as the team moved Connor McGovern to center after cutting Mitch Morse, Edwards has played well. The former Super Bowl LVI starter has outperformed McGovern at the LG spot, per The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, who adds Edwards could be moving toward an extension if he keeps this up. Pro Football Focus ranks Edwards just 44th among guards, but the 27-year-old blocker has started every game — after being a 17-game backup in 2023 — and has provided value on a two-year, $6MM deal.
  • Drake Maye is indeed in concussion protocol. Jerod Mayo confirmed that status Wednesday, making the No. 3 overall pick iffy for the Patriots‘ Sunday matchup against the Titans. A hit to the back of Maye’s head during a first-quarter scramble led Jacoby Brissett back into action in Week 8.

Patriots Shopping Multiple Receivers, Not Interested In Trading Jonathan Jones

The Patriots made their first trade deadline move on Monday, sending edge rusher Josh Uche to the Chiefs for a sixth-round pick, and New England may have more moves in store as November 5 approaches.

The Patriots are “fielding calls on corners and receivers,” per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, with Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn as the wideouts of interest.

New England has already been shopping Thornton for a few weeks, and Osborn may be frustrated after his playing time dropped in recent weeks. He is the more proven receiver after recording at least 500 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons for the Vikings, but he’s only averaging 27.3 yards per game this year as part of a struggling Patriots offense with turnover across the offensive line and under center. Osborn would also be an affordable acquisition for nearly any team; he is owed just over $1MM in salary and per game roster bonuses across the rest of the season.

Thornton also has just over $1MM of salary remaining this season, and he is under contract for 2.24MM in 2025, though that is not guaranteed. He has just four catches for 47 yards this season, but his speed is undeniable after a 4.28-second 40 yard dash at the Combine in 2022. He could be an affordable, speedy addition to a team that believes they can still get the best out of the 24-year-old.

New England is not interested in trading veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones, according to Breer, despite the fact that the 31-year-old Jones is a pending free agent who does not fit in the team’s long-term roster plans. Jones is set to earn $5M for the rest of 2024, making him a pricier acquisition for a team in need of secondary help. If the Patriots aren’t looking to trade him, Jones is unlikely to leave New England this season unless he requests a trade.

Instead of selling players, the Patriots could be buyers at the deadline despite their 2-6 record. After their Week 8 victory over the Jets, New England is “monitoring the trade market to potentially add talent,” per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

The Patriots are specifically looking to upgrade at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. Several offensive and defensive linemen are on injured reserve, forcing the Patriots to cycle multiple units in the trenches on both sides of the ball this year. However, sacrificing significant draft compensation for short-term upgrades in a losing season would be a surprise for a Patriots regime that seems committed to rebuilding under head coach Jerod Mayo and first-round quarterback Drake Maye.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/24

Here are the most recent practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Vikings cut Gaskin from their active roster on Tuesday, but as a vested veteran, he did not need to pass through waivers before re-signing to Minnesota’s practice squad. Gaskin played in the Vikings’ first five games this season, but has not appeared since October 6. His familiarity with the offense could lead to activations from the practice squad if Minnesota needs running back depth.

Herndon will join the Saints after playing in Jacksonville for six seasons, with 83 total appearances and 34 starts for the Jaguars since 2018. The veteran cornerback only started five games over the last two years, but played in 15 games for almost 900 snaps as a rotational member of the Jaguars’ secondary. His experience could lead to quick elevations from the practice squad once he learns the Saints’ defense.

The Commander signed the 30-year-old Hart to give them more depth at offensive tackle. The veteran has 67 starts and 98 total appearances over his eight-year career, though he hasn’t played in the NFL since a 2022 stint with the Bills.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/24

Here are the latest transactions from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Murray suffered a torn pectoral in the Bears’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday, thinning out Chicago’s offensive line depth. He played 37 snaps at left guard in Week 5 in relief of an injured Tevin Jenkins, who left Sunday’s game with another injury. After full participation in practice last week, Larry Borom should be ready to be activated from injured reserve to reinforce the Bears’ offensive line before Week 9.

The Texans officially played Diggs on injured reserve after tests confirmed a season-ending ACL tear, a non-contact injury that occurred in Houston’s Week 8 victory over the Colts. With Nico Collins already on IR, C.J. Stroud will turn to Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to keep the offense afloat until Collins returns. Diggs’ injury could heavily affect his market in free agency after requiring the Texans to remove the final three years of his contact to facilitate his trade from the Bills.

Sutton is eligible to play for the first time this year after serving an eight-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended after he was arrested for domestic battery by strangulation in March, leading to his release by the Lions. The Steelers then signed him to a one-year deal in June before the league handed down his suspension in July, forcing Pittsburgh to turn to Beanie Bishop at nickel.

Chiefs Acquire Josh Uche From Patriots

Josh Uche is indeed on the move. The fifth-year edge rusher is being traded from the Patriots to the Chiefs, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Kansas City will send New England a 2026 sixth-round pick, Rapoport adds. That level of compensation comes as little surprise given Uche’s status as a pending free agent. He was a healthy scratch yesterday, an indication that a trade was possible. After the Patriots elected not to pull of a trade in his case last year, he will now be on the move.

Nearing the end of his rookie contract last year, Uche drew trade interest and the Pats nearly worked out a deal ahead of the deadline. Instead, he remained in place and ultimately re-signed on a one-year deal. That pact included a base salary of only $1.3MM, and with much of that total already being paid out this will be a very low-cost addition on the Chiefs’ part. The league’s only remaining undefeated team will now have another rotational option along the edge.

Uche’s best year came in 2022 when he posted 11.5 sacks. Considering he only logged a snap share of 38% that season, expectations were raised for continued production or at least a heavier workload moving forward. Neither has turned out to be the case, with the Michigan product totaling five sacks since the start of last season and logging a similar snap count to the earlier portion of his career. He will be viewed as a third-down specialist upon arrival with Kansas City.

The Chiefs have of course continued to rely on Chris Jones as a foundational contributor in the pass-rush department. Along the edge, the team has Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu along with recent draftees George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Uche will aim to carve out a role as part of that group while attempting to boost his free agent stock. For Kansas City, meanwhile, this move marks another midseason addition (following the DeAndre Hopkins trade) as a third straight Super Bowl title is sought.

The Chiefs entered Monday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, so any further moves could be challenging unless they were also of the short-term, low-cost variety. Kansas City has been linked to pursuing a cornerback in the wake of Jaylen Watson‘s (likely season-ending) injury, and it will be interesting to see if anything happens at that position before the November 5 deadline.

Kansas City currently sits 22nd in the NFL with 15 sacks through seven games. Improving in that department could provide a notable boost to the league’s No. 5 scoring defense, and Uche will look to chip in on that front. At 2-6 on the year, meanwhile, New England could be a team to watch from a seller’s perspective regarding further moves.

Patriots Open To Further Trades

Despite yesterday’s win, the Patriots sit at 2-6 on the year. As a result, the team can comfortably be placed in the seller’s category, something confirmed by today’s decision to deal away Josh Uche to the Chiefs.

That trade yielded a 2026 sixth-round pick, and adding further draft capital represents a logical goal ahead of the November 5 trade deadline. Indeed, Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini report New England is open to making additional trades. Giardi adds one or two veterans can be expected to be on the move over the coming days.

Uche’s name was again in trade talk – as was the case last season – not long before he was dealt on Monday. Among the other candidates to be traded are defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who was linked over the weekend to a potential 49ers deal. While the veteran run-stuffer would provide a notable boost on early downs to San Francisco’s D-line, he inked a Patriots extension this offseason which guaranteed his salaries for 2024 and ’25. Godchaux does not expect to be dealt.

A more realistic spot to look for trade candidates would likely be the receiver room. Kendrick Bourne has also been connected to the 49ers (his former team), but he too would prefer to remain with the Patriots past the deadline. Bourne is under contract through 2026, but none of his salary after this year is guaranteed. In terms of pure rentals, K.J. Osborn represents a potential target. The former Viking has seen his usage dwindle since the start of the year, and he is likely among the team’s wideouts who is frustrated with his current situation.

As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, the Patriots have additional late-round draft picks for each of the next two years. Adding more valuable selections appears to be the plan for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and Co. before the deadline, and it will be interesting to see how much of a market develops over the coming days.

Patriots’ Josh Uche Inactive For Week 8

Josh Uche is once again the subject of trade speculation as the November 5 deadline approaches. As uncertainty looms over his future, he found himself inactive for the Patriots’ Week 8 contest.

[RELATED: Davon Godchaux Surprised By Trade Rumors]

“It was just a healthy scratch and we also [aim] to put the best team out there that gives us the best chance to win,” head coach Jerod Mayo said when addressing the decision (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald).

Uche, to little surprise, is drawing trade interest. That was also the case last year, and the Patriots came close to working out a deal which would have sent him to a new team for the remainder of his rookie contract. Instead, the former second-rounder stayed in New England before signing a one-year deal to keep him in place for 2024. Uche had appeared in the Patriots’ first seven games, recording a pair of sacks and five pressures.

It will be interesting to see if the Michigan product’s benching is an indication of a trade being worked on. As Kyed notes, Uche is viewed as New England’s top trade candidate based on his status as a pending free agent who would not be expensive to acquire. His base salary for the year is only $1.3MM, so nearly every team in the league could easily absorb the prorated remainder of that figure in a trade.

Uche had a strong season in 2022 with 11.5 sacks, but he has not developed into a three-down contributor for New England. Any team pursuing a deal would no doubt view him as a third-down specialist capable of chipping in on a rotational basis. A part-time workload is usually in store for Anfernee Jenningswho took on additional snaps in Uche’s absence. He would be in line for an increased role moving forward in the event a trade involving Uche were to be worked out.