What Marte Mapu trade to Texans means for the Patriots
patspulpit.com • • sports
Key Points:
- The New England Patriots traded linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans along with a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, instead of releasing him as initially expected.
- The Patriots have seen several linebackers depart recently, including Jack Gibbens and Jahlani Tavai, leaving Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss as the top returning players, with K.J. Britt and Chad Muma expected to fill backup roles.
- Mapu primarily contributed on special teams as the personal protector on punts, a role that will now likely be filled by safety Dell Pettus, who held the position during his rookie season.
- The trade slightly improved the Patriots’ 2027 draft capital and provided a modest salary cap savings of approximately $433,688, bringing the team to $35.56 million under the cap.
- Mapu’s rookie contract salary transfers to the Texans, while the Patriots retain the fully guaranteed portion of his signing bonus, resulting in no dead cap hit for New England.
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