The Patriots sent veteran right-back Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers, according to a league source. In return, the Patriots would receive a fifth-round pick.
A starter since being drafted in the fourth round in 2015, the grader should have earned a base salary of $6.5 million this season with a cap of $10.1 million.
The deal opens up space for a salary cap of just over $7 million.
It was their second trade of the day. According to a league source, they started by sending cornerback Chase Vinovich to the Browns in exchange for inside linebacker Mac Wilson.
Vinovich had a good start in New England, registering 11 sacks in his first two seasons after being selected in the third round of the 2019 draft. His snaps have dropped significantly in 2021, playing just 10 percent of snaps defensively and recording just 5 tackles. season. He appeared in 45 regular season games over three seasons.
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Vinovich was a healthy scratch after a playoff loss to the Buffalo, a harbinger of his future with the Patriots.
After the deal was made public, Vinovich posted a tweet saying he was grateful for his time in New England.
I am so grateful for my experience in New England.
The love, spirit and support were absolutely unreal.
This entire region will always hold a special place in my heart.
It’s time for the next chapter of my journey.
📖💓✌🏻🍯— Chase Vinovich (@Wino) March 15, 2022
Wilson, who, like Vinovich, is in the last year of his rookie contract, has been a rotational defensive player for Cleveland. The Alabama product has 160 tackles in three seasons, and his arrival provides insurance in case Donta Hightower and Ja’Von Bentley don’t return in 2022.
Wilson, who was on the Browns’ roster at 6-foot-1 and weighs 233 pounds, was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft and appeared in 43 regular-season games for Cleveland. In 2021, he had 26 solo and 42 combined selections.
He was Alabama’s leading player in the post-2017 national championship game with seven tackles and assisted five more in the Crimson Tide’s victory over Georgia.
In 2018, Wilson had one sack and two interceptions for Alabama, along with 71 tackles.
Jim McBride can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.