After three years with the Patriots, running back Sony Michel was traded to the Rams on Wednesday.
The Georgia product spoke to reporters in Los Angeles Thursday about the deal and how he felt about it.
"I was surprised," Michel said. "I would assume that most people, when they're traded, they're surprised a little bit."
Even though the Patriots had a number of running backs vying for a roster spot and he himself being in the final year of his contract, Michel said he never once thought about potentially being traded.
"Last two days kind of just been, the best way I can put it is football terminology, sudden change," Michel said. "It's like, something suddenly happens and you just got to get ready to kind of execute. Not much time could be wasted. Just kind of got to get up, get ready to go and kind of get adjusted, acclimated with the new adjustment."
With the Rams dealing with a number of injuries at the position, Michel could have a big role with the offense.
"It was an opportunity to acquire a really good player that's had a lot of success," head coach Sean McVay said. "We feel good about the running back situation, but some of the volatility of what Darrell has gone through, even just throughout the course of camp, wanted to make sure you got somebody else that's played in big-time games."
He added: "Everything I've heard about Sony and the way that he's wired mentally and just the way that he goes about his business, I do anticipate him being a quick study. The goal is to have him ready to go and be a big-time contributor on the 12th (Sept. 12)."