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The New England Patriots’ are moving on from their long-time starting right guard: in what can be seen as a surprising move they are trading Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New England will get a fifth-round draft pick in return, according to NBC Sports’ Phil Perry.
Mason, 29, originally arrived in New England as a fourth-round selection in the 2015 draft. After moving between the left and the right guard positions as a rookie, the Georgia Tech product settled into the starting gig on the right side of the line in 2016 — a role he held ever since.
One of the better interior offensive linemen in football and the longest-tenured member of the Patriots’ O-line, Mason appeared in 103 regular season games and 13 playoff contests for the organization. Along the way, he helped the team win two Super Bowls and earned himself a sizable contract extension: in 2018, he put his signature under a five-year, $50 million deal that would have kept him in New England through 2023.
However, Mason is now off to the Buccaneers — joining forces with ex-Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The trade gives the Patriots some additional draft capital this year, and frees up roughly $6 million in cap space. According to Miguel Benzan, the team is now $13 million under the cap.
Poll
How would you grade the Shaq Mason trade from a Patriots perspective?
This poll is closed
-
2%
A
(122 votes) -
6%
B
(298 votes) -
20%
C
(920 votes) -
31%
D
(1458 votes) -
39%
F
(1798 votes)
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