The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to solidify their roster around Tom Brady after his comeback from a brief retirement, and they're even reuniting Brady with an old friend. In a trade with the New England Patriots, the Buccaneers are sending a 2022 fifth-round pick in order to acquire guard Shaq Mason.
Full details here:
Shaq Mason has been traded from the Patriots to the Buccaneers, first reported by NFL Network.
New England receives a fifth-round pick in return, first reported by NBC Sports Boston.
Tom Brady is reuniting with his former guard. pic.twitter.com/R6Dmf8IgHu
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) March 15, 2022
Mason had played his entire career with the Patriots up until this point. New England selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and he soon became a full-time starter on Brady's offensive line. Mason won two Super Bowl rings with Brady in New England, and now he'll try to win another one in Tampa Bay.
This move clears a bit over $6 million in cap space for the Patriots while helping the Buccaneers solidify Brady's protection. Although the Buccaneers got center Ryan Jensen back in free agency after Brady decided to return, guard Ali Marpet is staying retired and Alex Cappa went to the Cincinnati Bengals, so help was needed on the offensive line. What better way to fill a hole than by getting somebody Brady is familiar with?
The fifth-round pick is a rather light price to pay for a proven starter with previous ties to Brady, so Tampa Bay should be thrilled at being able to pull off this deal. The Buccaneers are going to be a Super Bowl contender with Brady back, though there's still plenty of work left to do in free agency.
The Patriots, meanwhile, will surely look to use that new cap space to help build their roster around young quarterback Mac Jones. There are already rumors about the possibility of trading for La'el Collins.
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