New England Patriots Traded by Bill Belichick

First Chandler Jones to the Cardinals back in March and now Jamie Collins to the Browns—does Bill Belichick know what he's doing here? We often wonder how Belichick gets grown men to buy in, sometimes to the point of willingly taking less than market value in order to be a part of a perennial Super Bowl contender. The Collins trade seems to be one of those moves that reinforces falling in line with The Patriot Way. Here is a look at every player the Patriots have traded away under Belichick.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 4, 2016

New England Patriots Traded by Bill Belichick

Jamie Collins, LB

Jamie-Collins-X159173_TK1_2690.w.jpg — Simon Bruty

Collins was traded to the Browns for a conditional third round pick following Week 8 of the 2016 season. A second-round pick in 2013, Collins used his size and athleticism to become an impact player for the Patriots. He led the team with 89 tackles last season and also forced five fumbles (tying a franchise record), a testament to his play-making instincts. In the final year of his rookie deal, his success over the past two seasons has set him up for a big payday.

Chandler Jones, DE

Chandler-Jones-X159173_TK1_1497.w.jpg — Simon Bruty

The Patriots traded Jones to the Cardinals in the offseason prior to the 2016 season. In return, the Pats received guard Jonathan Cooper and a second round pick. Jones has five sacks and two forced fumbles through Week 8, while Cooper was cut and picked up by the Browns.

Logan Mankins, G

After refusing to take a pay cut, Mankins was traded to the Buccaneers just before the 2014 season in exchange for tight end Tim Wright and a 2015 fourth round pick. Wright played 11 games for the Patriots in 2014, his only season with the team, catching 26 passes for 259 yards and a career high six touchdowns. Mankins played two seasons for the Bucs and was voted a Pro Bowl alternate in 2015. He retired in March 2016.

Randy Moss, WR

Moss seemed upset with the Patriots in 2010, reportedly requesting a trade early in the season. The future Hall of Fame receiver got his wish after four games when New England traded him and a 2012 seventh round pick to the Vikings in exchange for Minnesota’s third round pick in 2011. The Vikings decided to waive Moss less than a month later after he had a falling out with head coach Brad Childress. Moss finished the season with the Titans, played for the 49ers in 2012 after a year away from football, then retired in 2013. The Patriots took quarterback Ryan Mallett with the pick they received from the Vikings.

Richard Seymour, DE/DT

The Patriots dealt Seymour, who was entering the final year of his contract, to the Raiders just before the 2009 season in exchange for a first round pick. Seymour said he felt “blindsided” by the trade, but played well in his time with Oakland, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2010 and 2011. He retired in 2013 after playing four seasons with the Raiders. The Patriots, meanwhile, took offensive lineman Nate Solder with the pick they received from Oakland.

Mike Vrabel, LB

The Patriots traded Vrabel with Cassel to the Chiefs in 2009 for the 33rd overall pick in the draft. New England took safety Patrick Chung, who has been the team’s starting safety for a number of years now. Vrabel played two seasons with the Chiefs before retiring.

Matt Cassel, QB

The Patriots traded Cassel with Vrabel to the Chiefs in 2009 for the 33rd overall pick in the draft. New England took Chung, who has been the team’s starting safety for a number of years now. Cassel signed a big contract with the Chiefs, but never turned into the franchise quarterback they hoped he would.

Deion Branch, WR

Unhappy with his contract situation in 2006, Branch held out and was then traded by the Patriots to the Seahawks in exchange for a first round pick in 2007. That pick turned into Brandon Meriweather, while Branch played four and a half seasons with Seattle before returning to New England.

Drew Bledsoe, QB

After losing the starting job to Tom Brady, Bledsoe was traded to the Bills for a first round pick in the 2003 draft during the 2002 offseason. That pick ended up turning into Ty Warren, after another trade with the Bears. Bledsoe would play five more productive seasons, three with the Bills and two with the Cowboys.