Report: Jets Acquire Demaryius Thomas In Trade With Patriots

Demaryius Thomas catches a pass before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center.
Photo credit USA Today Sports Images

Star wideout Antonio Brown has joined the Patriots, and now New England has apparently sent one of its other wide receivers to the Jets.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have traded for Demaryius Thomas. Schefter claims New York will give up a sixth-round pick in the deal with its heated rivals in Foxborough.

More Antonio Brown fallout: Patriots are trading WR Demaryius Thomas in the division to the NY Jets for a 2021 sixth-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 10, 2019

Thomas will now be reunited with Adam Gase, who worked with him in Denver, first as a receiver's coach, and then as offensive coordinator. He was initially released by the Patriots in the final roster cuts at the end of preseason, but Bill Belichick and company changed their minds and brought Thomas back on a one-year deal, that was, until this reported trade.

The Jets would be the 31-year-old’s fourth team in the last year. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Broncos before they dealt him to the Texans at the end of October.

Thomas had 59 catches for five touchdowns and 677 yards before a torn achilles ended his season in December. The Montrose, Georgia native won a Super Bowl and made four Pro Bowls during his time in the Mile High City.

Gase had criticized his wide receivers quite heavily in the wake of New York’s 17-16 defeat to the Bills. If Thomas can get back somewhere near the form he has shown in the past, he should be a significant boost to the Jets’ wide receiving corps.

It's a one-sided rivalry, but the Jets and Patriots are still bitter division rivals. Thus, it's rare that the two teams make a trade, but it seems like their interests really lined up well here.