After spending four seasons with the New England Patriots, the team is granting defensive tackle Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade. Originally selected fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former LSU product enters a pivotal time to enter the trade portal as NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that there are teams interested in the defensive tackle and new head coach Mike Vrabel is building a new regime in the defensive scheme. The Patriots are heading into a different which stems from the frustrations of firing previous head coach Jerod Mayo while installing former Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams.
Godchaux has not missed a single game during his stay with the Patriots but he wouldn’t have been able to mesh with Williams’ new scheme. Last year, the veteran was also named a trade candidate before the deadline but now he has the opportunity to start somewhere else fresh. Godchaux notched 67 tackles, 24 of which were solo and it was his second-most productive season, falling short of his 2019 season with the Miami Dolphins where he posted 75 tackles and two sacks.
The #Patriots have given DT Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade, sources say.
There has been contact with interested teams, and the veteran is likely on the move given the team’s defensive scheme shift. pic.twitter.com/yMLiwkTWhQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2025
Shocking: Patriots Grant 5.5-Sack Disruptor Davon Godchaux to Seek Trade
While releasing Godchaux won’t do much as far as salary cap space, it frees up at least $8.3 million. It’s not that they needed the money since they are one of the teams with the most financial freedom but it gives Vrabel more to install in his coaching philosophy. Godchaux won’t earn a huge deal in his next contract or fetch significant draft capital, the 330-pound is a proven run-stopper that could offer a little pass-rushing upside for these three teams.
Possible Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have done a phenomenal job of creating a new defense under Jesse Minter’s duties. However, they’re preparing for another different outlook this 2025 as free agent Khalil Mack will probably head elsewhere and Joey Bosa is a cap casualty. Despite that, the team did well in boosting Poona Ford’s stock as a capable disruptor in the trenches so since they have money to burn, they should be able to give him a solid lucrative deal to keep him around for a couple more years.
With that, Godchaux would be the perfect fill in this team’s defensive line to open up the gaps and make life easier for whoever will become the new linebacker corp of this unit.
Baltimore Ravens
As much as the Ravens are exploding on offense, the team wins their best ball games when their defense steps up in crucial moments. Last offseason, Baltimore lost several key free agents such as Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone. However, they didn’t do much to repair the defense back to where they were two years ago with a capable veteran presence. The team doesn’t need to worry about Kyle Van Noy and Roquan Smith aging but building upon what they already have is critical.
This is where Godchaux could fit into the scheme and pair with Nnamdi Madubuike to offer a much-needed boost to get after the quarterback.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are entering the second straight offseason with salary cap hell and they don’t have the finances to afford a high-end disruptor. Free Agent Chase Young will probably leave so the Saints will be chasing a bargain. Perhaps, they could snatch Godchuax in a trade for a one-year deal to provide New Orleans some relief in the trenches.
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