Chase Winovich never quite fit in with the Patriots. Despite being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the pass-rusher struggled to find the field, and seemed to fall out of Bill Belichick’s favor.
With that in mind, it wasn’t shocking when the Patriots dealt Winovich earlier this year to the Browns, in exchange for linebacker Mack Wilson. But the deal still caught Winovich by surprise.
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At Browns camp Thursday, Winovich told reporters about the day he was called into Belichick’s office at Gillette Stadium, and informed of the trade. A few days prior, Winovich caught his long blonde locks on a whim — he says he had a dream that told him it was time for a new look — and jokingly asked Belichick whether his change of appearance led to the move.
“I went in the [Patriots’] facilities three days later, and they called me into — the ‘grim reaper’ they call him — called me into Bill’s office,” he said. “And they told me that they were trading me. And that was the first thing I said: ‘You guys didn’t like the haircut? You guys didn’t like the haircut, you traded me?’ So, it’s kinda funny how that works out timing-wise. But I don’t think that had anything to do with it.”
Only three players from the Patriots’ 2019 draft — Damien Harris, offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste and punter Jake Bailey — are still with the team. Their first three picks — N’Keal Harry, cornerback Jojuan Williams and Chase Winovich — are all playing elsewhere.
Winovich recorded 85 tackles and 11 sacks over three seasons in Foxborough. He’s probably hoping his new look translates to more production in Cleveland, even if it may have cosmically led to his exit from New England.