The New England Patriots made some big moves Tuesday, as they traded defensive end pass rusher Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper and a 2016 second-round draft pick.
One of the top priorities for New England this offseason is to rebuild their offensive line and protect their veteran franchise quarterback. Tom Brady turns 39 years old prior to the start of next season, and the future Hall of Fame quarterback was sacked 38 times last season, which was 17 more sacks recorded against the Patriots quarterback then the previous season when New England won the Super Bowl.
New England fell short in the AFC Championship game against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, and pass rush as well as pass protection were two huge factors in the outcome of that game. New England struggled to protect Brady, and despite finishing second in the league in team sacks last season, their front office is clearly focusing on building strong foundations on both their defensive line and offensive line.
The Patriots added another big piece on Tuesday night, adding defensive end Chris Long. The former Rams pass rusher was cut back in February to clear cap space, and he has now reportedly agreed to a one-year deal to play in New England next season. The new Patriots pass rusher used his Twitter account to express thanks for the opportunity and to tell the city of Boston that he will see them soon.
The former second overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft struggled the past two seasons and only played in 12 games last season, recording 19 combined tackles and three sacks. The Patriots have been known to resurrect careers of veteran players that have seen a dip in their numbers, and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia will look to get the most out of Long, as he has shown that he can be a dominant pass rusher in the league.
From 2011 to 2013, Long recorded 33 sacks with the Rams, and New England is likely hoping that Long can replace some of the production lost in trading Jones to Arizona. The Patriots are clearly focused on protecting Brady in his 17th season, but they are looking to have a strong pass rush with the addition of Long to players like Jabaal Sheard and Rob Ninkovich.
