With Antonio Browncoming to town, the New England Patriots very talented receivers room got really crowded really fast. The team remedied that "problem" Tuesday.
The Patriots traded 10-year veteran wideout Demaryius Thomas to the Jets in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick, the teams confirmed Wednesday. The trade is the first between the teams since 2000 -- when Bill Belichick, fresh off a one-day stint as Jets head coach at the time, was traded to New England for three draft picks, per NFL Research.
The Thomas trade also means Belichick has now made a deal with every NFL team since taking over as the Patriots' fearless leader 19 years ago.
On a roster that now includes Brown, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, among others, the 31-year-old receiver found himself the odd man out in Foxborough after a roller-coaster of a five-month stretch.
Thomas signed as a free agent in April and spent the bulk of the offseason and training camp recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered in Week 16 as a member of the Texans last season. He was released on cutdown deadline day and re-signed a few days later on Sept. 2.
In his 15 appearances in 2018 -- he played the last seven in Houston following a midseason trade from Denver -- Thomas contributed 59 receptions, 677 yards and five touchdowns.
Drafted 22nd overall by the Broncos in 2010, Thomas enjoyed a fruitful eight-year tenure at Mile High, making five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (2012-16) and winning a Super Bowl ring in 2016. Thomas' career totals include 688 receptions, 9,330 receiving yards and 62 TDs.
