The Patriots have made a move. According to NFL Media' Ian Rapoport, New England is expected to acquire offensive tackle Trent Brown in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.
This is the second time the Patriots have traded for Brown, as they also did so in 2018, acquiring him from the 49ers after an injury-plagued 2017 season. Brown started at left tackle in all 16 games during the 2018 season and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII against the Rams.
That bounce-back season earned him a four-year, $66 million deal with the Raiders as a free agent. After a Pro Bowl season in 2019, Brown was once again hampered by injury this past season, playing just five games.
According to Rapoport, Brown, 27, is reworking his contract as part of the deal and will now be on a one-year deal for the 2021 season. He previously had two years and $19.25 million left on his contract.
Rapoport adds that the Patriots and Raiders are swapping draft picks in 2022 as part of the trade. Jim McBride of the Boston Globe reports that the Patriots will trade their 2022 fifth-round pick and get a 2022 seventh-round pick along with Brown. McBride adds that Brown could make up to $11 million this season.