Mega Trade Idea Lands Patriots Superstar Edge Rusher T.J. Watt
The New England Patriots enter the 2025 NFL season with renewed optimism. The franchise underwent some major changes in the offseason, firing first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and replacing him with former Patriots' linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. There's also hope that their 2024 first-round pick, quarterback Drake Maye, can continue to ascend. Things are pointing in the upward trajectory in Foxborough.
Advertisement
The front office invested heavily on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, bringing in Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III, and Harold Landry III, as well as a host of other faces. Those faces, as well as the infrastructure in place, could make the Patriots a top defense in the NFL. One trade idea has the Patriots getting even better, though.
According to Bleacher Report's Brent Sobelski, the Patriots are one of four teams who should consider making a move for disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers' edge rusher T.J. Watt, who reportedly wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. In the proposed deal, the Patriots would send a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers for Watt.
May 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to the media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium.© Eric Canha-Imagn Images
'For the Patriots, Watt can set the tone and establish a baseline of expectations both on the field and in the locker room,' Sobelski writes. 'As quarterback Drake Maye continues to grow into his role, Watt can be the unquestioned leader of these Patriots.'
Advertisement
Watt still has one year remaining on his current deal, but with training camp around the corner, the four-time First-Team All-Pro and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year wants a raise that keeps him in line with the top of the market earners at the edge rusher position.
'Head coach Mike Vrabel has always been a defensive guy first. Watt playing alongside Christian Barmore and free-agent acquisitions Milton Williams and Harold Landry III can get New England back to what once made the team successful in the early 2000s by playing a hardnosed brand of football.' Sobelski added.
Watt had something of a down year in 2024, but still earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. He played in all 17 regular-season games for the Steelers, generating 11.5 sacks, his lowest tally in a full season since his rookie year, while adding 19 tackles for loss and 27 quarterback hits. Watt is heading into his age-31 season, and a decline may be on the horizon, but he'd still be a leader in the locker room and improve a defense on the rise.
Related: New England Patriots' Quarterback Surprising Ranking Among Second-Year Quarterbacks
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
DeWanna Bonner's exit from Fever sparks New look at Clark incident
DeWanna Bonner's brief time with the Indiana Fever has come to an end, and her exit is drawing attention for more than just basketball reasons. The veteran forward played in only nine games this season before parting ways with the team. Citing a poor fit and limited minutes off the bench, Bonner stepped away and was eventually waived by the Fever. MORE: WNBA daily slate for Sunday July 6, 2025 Advertisement Her departure now has people revisiting a controversial moment from last season, one involving Caitlin Clark and Bonner's former team, the Connecticut Sun. Bonner's Departure From Indiana Reopens Discussion on Past Tension During a game between the Sun and the Fever, DiJonai Carrington (now with the Dallas Wings) made contact with Clark's face while attempting to deflect a pass. It led to a swirl of social media debate and later became a topic in Christine Brennan's book, "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports." After that game, Brennan directly asked Carrington whether she had meant to strike Clark in the eye. "I don't even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye," Carrington said. "That doesn't even make sense to me. But no, I didn't. I didn't know I hit her, actually. I was trying to make a play on the ball and I guess I followed through and I hit her, so obviously it's never intentional." When Brennan followed up by asking whether Carrington and teammate Marina Mabrey had laughed about the incident afterward, Carrington denied it again. "I just told you I didn't even know I hit her, so I can't laugh about something I didn't know happened." Bonner, who had not been part of the initial exchange, later approached Brennan to defend Carrington. According to Brennan's account, Bonner walked over and said, 'You disrespected my teammate.' Brennan tried to explain herself, but Bonner repeated the statement multiple times, adding, 'You attacked my teammate.' Advertisement While the exchange was tense, Brennan emphasized there was no shouting or aggression. 'Bonner never raised her voice, nor did I,' she wrote. 'It was the kind of tense but predictable conversation I have had dozens of times with professional athletes. When a journalist is doing her job properly and an athlete is doing theirs, they don't always agree.' Now that Bonner's time in Indiana is over, that moment, and her fierce loyalty to Carrington, has resurfaced in the public conversation. Though Bonner didn't mention the incident in her departure statement, the lingering memories of that clash between the Fever and the Sun remain part of her narrative. Whether or not that history played a role in her quick exit from Indiana is unclear. But in today's WNBA, where stars like Caitlin Clark draw national headlines, even minor moments can leave lasting echoes. More WNBA NEWS:
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Riley Greene Draws Closer to Cubs' Seiya Suzuki For First Place in Key MLB Stat
Riley Greene Draws Closer to Cubs' Seiya Suzuki For First Place in Key MLB Stat originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Tigers faced the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night at Comerica Park in hopes of extending their time atop of the MLB team standings leaguewide. Advertisement The Tigers got a two-run homer from All-Star utility man Javier Baez in the second inning that gave starting pitcher Keider Montero a cushion to work with going forward. Montero pitched six innings of one-run baseball as he was relieved by Tyler Holton in the seventh inning. Detroit took a 3-1 lead on the Rays in the bottom of the fifth inning as All-Star starter Riley Greene smacked an RBI single to right-center field. The accomplishment drew Greene closer to the Major League Baseball lead in runs batted in. Riley Greene on July 7 vs. the Rays. © Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images "RBI MACHINE:" WXYZ reporter Brad Galli wrote on X. "Riley Greene singled to put the Tigers up 3-1 vs. the Rays. The All-Star outfield has 72 RBI. Seiya Suzuki (of the Chicago Cubs) is the MLB RBI leader as of Monday night with 77." Advertisement The Tigers added to their lead over manager Kevin Cash's Rays later on the night as Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry both hit solo home runs, giving Detroit a 5-1 lead. Spencer Torkelson struck out to end the seventh inning but not before the damage was done, as the Tigers continued to march toward a series-opening win over Cash's team in downtown Detroit. "Riley Greene is having a breakout year!" one fan said. "72 RBIs is legend," they added, wondering aloud if Greene will catch the Cubs All-Star snub for first place in the league by the time the season ends. Related: 3 Detroit Tigers Mentioned as Possible All-Star Game Replacements by MLB Insider This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Warriors' Steve Kerr Directly Addresses Departure of NBA Champion
Warriors' Steve Kerr Directly Addresses Departure of NBA Champion originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While the core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler will remain together for at least another year, the Golden State Warriors still face a big roster gap at center. Advertisement This need grew exponentially with the recent loss of Kevon Looney, who officially signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Shortly after, the Warriors shared a farewell video for Looney on X with coach Steve Kerr paying tribute to longtime big man. "Hey Loon, just wanna say thank you," said Kerr. "This is a tough one. Ten years, it's just been an amazing experience for me to coach you. Just your professionalism, your dignity, your class, the way you handle yourself, the way you mentor your young teammates. And of course, the championship contributions that you've made year after year. "So thank you for everything you've done for me, for our staff, for our team, for the Bay. You are the absolute best, Loon." Advertisement Following a standout freshman year at UCLA, Looney fell to the 30th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after concerns surfaced in the aftermath of the hip surgery he had before the 2014-15 season. Despite initial concerns, Looney quickly emerged into a reliable role player, delivering big moments during critical playoff matchups, including a 2022 playoff run in which he started in 13 of 22 games with averages of 5.8 points and 7.6 rebounds en route to his third NBA title. Kevon Looney won three championships with the Golden State Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Looney's departure closes a 10-year chapter that began in 2015. With over 599 regular‑season and 89 playoff games, he helped power the Warriors in three NBA championship runs. Advertisement Salary‑cap constraints ultimately drove Looney's departure and left space for potential veteran additions like Al Horford. The move also frees up mid‑level exception space as the Warriors recalibrate around their core. Related: Dennis Schroder Sends 3-Word Message After Joining Sacramento Kings Related: Rockets Release NBA Veteran Days After Kevin Durant Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
