Patriots Trade Deadline: New England Punts On Record-Setting Day For NFL

At 4-4, the New England Patriots found themselves in an interesting position heading into Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.

FOXBORO — The NFL’s Trade Deadline for 2022 arrived on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, as multiple teams will made their final attempts to make mutually-beneficial transactions with each other in hopes of improving both their short and long-term futures.

At 4-4, the New England Patriots found themselves in an interesting position. They currently sit at ninth place in the AFC, teetering on the sill of the playoff window. With just north of $1.8 million in available salary cap space ($1,861,759; according to Patriots cap expert, Miguel Benzan), the Patriots were not in a fiscal position of strength to take on additional salary.

As rumors continued to swirl throughout the day, the fiscal factor became an important one to remember. The deadline for restructuring contracts to facilitate trades was 3:59 p.m. ET Monday. As such, teams were no longer able to absorb any remaining money on existing contracts. The responsibility for doing so now falls upon the team acquiring the asset in question.

Still, there was a benefit to working the trade market in the hopes of landing a highly-coveted asset. It is important to note that all veteran players released after Tuesday’s deadline will be subject to waivers. Therefore, contending teams may not be able to satisfactorily utilize the post-deadline free agent market for players who might be released.

Ultimately, the Patriots decided to remain dormant at the trade deadline for the second straight year. 

However, several teams, including two key division rivals, were exactly the opposite. 

For the 2022 trade deadline there were 10 moves on Tuesday — up from four last year and the most ever made on deadline day. 

• Buffalo Bills acquired S Dean Marlow from the Atlanta Falcons.
• Buffalo Bills acquired RB Nyheim Hines from the Indianapolis Colts.
• Miami Dolphins acquired RB Jeff Wilson from the San Francisco 49ers.
• Miami Dolphins acquired LB Bradley Chubb from the Denver Broncos.
• Atlanta Falcons acquired CB Rashad Felton from the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Denver Broncos acquired LB Jacob Martin from the New York Jets.
• Jacksonville Jaguars acquired WR Calvin Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons
• Pittsburgh Steelers acquired CB Will Jackson III from the Washington Commanders
• Chicago Bears acquired WR Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Minnesota Vikings acquired TE T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions.

While the Patriots did not make a move, there were reported inquires made on both wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, and offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn. 

1:30 p.m. ET — Wynn Off the Market?

Despite being heavily involved in trade speculation since preseason, Patriots right tackle Isaiah Wynn is apparently remaining in New England for the remainder of the season. 

Though Wynn has struggled with his assignments, as well as his discipline (he leads the team with seven penalties), his ability to provide starting-caliber pass protection and run blocking made it risky for the Pats to part with him. Considering New England’s assumedly lofty asking price, as well as impending free agency (he is in the final year of his rookie contract), Wynn staying with the Patriots is far from a shocking development. 

11 a.m. ET — Bears in on Bourne?

Could the Bourne Legacy become the Bourne Departure?

Pro Football Focus reported on Tuesday morning that the Chicago Bears are among the teams who continue to inquire on the availability of Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.

The 27-year-old has had an enigmatic season for New England, to date. Though he has appeared in all of New England’s seven games, his playing time has plummeted, seeing action on only 35 percent of the Pats’ offensive plays. Bourne has caught 11 passes for 156 yards, without a touchdown reception.

However, Bourne received his heaviest workload in quite a while during Sunday’s 22-17 victory over the New York Jets. He took 54 offensive snaps, as the team’s third option following wideout DeVante Parker’s departure due to a knee injury.

While Bourne seems to have temporarily surpassed fellow trade-rumor target Nelson Agholor on the depth chart, he is still clearly fourth in the team’s rotation behind Jakobi Meyers, Parker, and rookie Tyquan Thornton.

As a result, the Patriots might be enticed to move him for the right price. With one year remaining on his deal beyond 2022, Bourne would be more than a three-month rental. For a team like the Bears, who are in desperate need of help at the receiver position, it may be worth the investment to part with a significant mid-round draft selection to acquire Bourne’s services.

Finically, the Pats would benefit by a gross savings of $3.09 million this year (per Benzan) should they trade Bourne by 4 p.m. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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