FOXBORO — The Patriots got a head start on the NFL’s trade season by sending linebacker Joshua Uche to the Chiefs on Monday.
Will they make more deals before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline?
Pats coach Jerod Mayo said Wednesday he wasn’t sure how active the front office will be, but shared he’s in daily contact with vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf. The Patriots are reportedly “open for business,” as they continue to stockpile future draft picks and young talent. Over the summer, they traded four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon to Atlanta for a third-round pick.
Veterans like cornerback Jonathan Jones and wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn have been speculated as trade targets, though Mayo indicated the team will factor in traits like leadership when deciding whom to keep and whom to trade in Year 1 of their rebuild.
“To us, it’s always, we’re in the business of bringing good players and keeping our good players. I think you bring up an interesting point as far as, like, the culture guys. And I do think that’s important,” he said. “I also would say I think it’s important with the coaches, as well, to bring in guys that really believe in the culture and where we’re trying to go.
“So definitely, we take those things under consideration.”
Mayo said he does not expect to address next Tuesday’s deadline with players. Earlier this season, when Bourne’s name surfaced publicly during trade talks with San Francisco, Mayo spoke directly with the veteran receiver.
“To me, the guys in there, they understand professional football. And they understand this time of the year,” Mayo said. “I would say, from our perspective as an organization, we’re always trying to get better; whether that’s to bring players in or addition through subtraction. We have to both look in the short-term and also in the long-term.”
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