Despite signing a franchise tag tender, the New England Patriots still may be looking to move guard Joe Thuney.
The biggest surprise besides Tom Brady spurning his legendary New England Patriots career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the team’s decision to apply the franchise tag on offensive lineman Joe Thuney who was set to become the top guard entering free agency.
The assumption before the tag was that the Patriots would let Thuney walk in free agency given their lack of cap space, but now the team and Thuney have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal after the highly touted guard signed the $14,781,000 franchise tender.
With the team’s current cap situation, it would be hard to believe the team would allow the offensive guard to play under that tag number unless a long-term deal is worked out, which if it is, gives the team an option of backloading a multi-year deal.
While the franchise and trade possibility is still at play, the Patriots seemingly see Joe Thuney as a part of the team’s future.
Here is what the team said in a statement following the franchise tag destination:
"“Joe has been a model teammate and an essential element to our success since joining our team in 2016. Utilizing the franchise designation allows both sides more time to try to reach the goal of a long-term agreement.”"
Otherwise rumor has it that the team may be looking to deal Thuney for both cap relief and more draft capital.
Of course, that would be classic Bill Belichick to turn a former third-round pick into possibly an extra first-round pick or at the least multiple higher round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Which teams would bite on a potential Joe Thuney deal? Just 27 years old, Thuney has developed into a very dependable offensive lineman. Standing at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds, he has started all 64 games during his four-year career, including three Super Bowl starts.
The better question is which team in need of offensive line help wouldn’t be interested?
Here are three possible trade scenarios and destinations for the New England Patriots offensive guard.
Joe Thuney to the Cleveland Browns
One interesting trade scenario could help both the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns.
In his latest article, “Seven NFL trades that need to happen before the draft,” CBS Sports NFL writer John Breech suggested the Patriots trade Joe Thuney to the Browns for the 41st overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and tight end David Njoku.
That would be a deal either team would be crazy to pass up on.
Here is how Breech laid it out:
"“Belichick would probably prefer NOT to pay out $14.8 million to Thuney, which is why the Patriots coach could be open to a potential trade, and that’s where Cleveland comes in. When it comes to skill players, the Browns have a loaded offense, but they could definitely stand to add some talent to their line. If I’m the Browns, I’m calling up Belichick and offering him David Njoku along with a 2020 second-round pick.”"
Not only would it give the Patriots some tight end help, it would also free up cap space while adding a second-round pick for Bill Belichick to dangle in other possible trades.
As for the Browns and how the deal helps them.
Adding an offensive guard like Joe Thuney would sure up their offensive line and also enable them, according to Breech, to use the No. 10 overall pick on a left tackle.
With the interest Cleveland had in Thuney entering free agency, they would certainly be willing to pay him. It would also allow them to offload David Njoku who is a young, talented player in need of a change of scenery.
In signing tight end Austin Hooper, this is a deal that is very possible between the Browns and Patriots. Not only does it help both teams in their biggest areas of need, it gives Belichick more draft ammunition to improve a team in desperate need to get younger.
Joe Thuney to the Miami Dolphins
Would the New England Patriots be willing to help out an AFC East rival?
Now that former defensive signal caller Brian Flores is the head coach, the answer is yes, especially if Bill Belichick gets something in return that he feels will help his own team.
With Kyle Van Noy, Ted Karras and Elandon Roberts dotting to South Beach in free agency, sending Joe Thuney to the Dolphins would put him in a familiar situation while further building up Miami’s interior line.
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What would a possible deal look like?
What makes the Miami Dolphins an intriguing trade partner is that they have three first-round picks and two second round picks. If they want Thuney bad enough, they could be willing to give up the 26th overall pick for the offensive lineman and a Patriots third.
Another scenario would be giving up the 39th overall pick and third-year quarterback Josh Rosen, who the Patriots were high on prior to the 2018 NFL Draft.
Of course, the additional first-round pick would be awesome, but obtaining a second and Rosen would fill a couple of needs.
In Josh Rosen, it would add competition for Jarrett Stidham and it would enable the team to go after other needs with their own first-round pick and the additional second-round pick they would acquire.
Keep in mind, any possibility of the Miami Dolphins parting with one of their high-round picks will depend on their pursuit of Joe Burrow who is expected to go No. 1 overall or if they are happy with settling for Tua Tagovailoa if he slips to No. 5.
With either of those quarterbacks, the Dolphins are going to really have to focus on stabilizing their offensive line to protect either young prospect. Why not Joe Thuney?
As for Josh Rosen in New England?
He is a young quarterback who could figure it out under Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels. With first-round talent, he would just need to be put in the right system to figure it all out. There is no better team than figuring that out than the Patriots.
Joe Thuney to the Detroit Lions
Speaking of Tua Tagovailoa, here’s a trade scenario by the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin that could bring the Alabama product to the New England Patriots.
"“Scenario: Patriots offer Joe Thuney and picks 23 and 87 for the No. 3 pick and the rights to Tua,” Volin teased via Twitter. “Could the Lions bite?”"
If Bill Belichick pulled off that trade it would be compared to Kevin McHale helping out old friend Danny Ainge in the Kevin Garnett deal back in 2007.
The question shouldn’t be could the Lions bite, it is more would former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia put his life on the line in Detroit by making such a deal.
Besides the optics of it and considering the Lions have been linked to Tua, the deal kind of makes sense depending on the direction Detroit is going in.
If they are sticking with Matthew Stafford, providing a stable offensive line in front of him is a goal and they would still have a first-round pick later in the draft if either Alabama quarterback in Jalen Hurts or another quarterback prospect intrigues them.
As far as what the New England Patriots would do with the No. 3 pick overall.
Tua Tagovailoa would certainly be interesting. Bill Belichick does love him and would have first-hand insight on him through good friend Nick Saban, but would the team take a chance with his health history?
Historically, health concerns don’t typically influence Belichick’s decision if he feels the player can help his team.
Although this is a Joe Thuney trade scenario that probably has no chance of happening, just think of what the Patriots can do with a No. 3 pick and just the hint of them selecting Tua Tagovailoa.
Just think about a scenario in which the Miami Dolphins would give up No. 5 and their two first round picks to move up to No. 3? Two former Bill Belichick coaches helping him out. That could bring on another scandal and NFL rule changes in the future.
Just kidding there…sort of.