The New England Patriots are trading offensive guard Shaq Mason to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round draft choice, according to multiple reports. Mason will return to protecting quarterback Tom Brady — but in a different uniform.
Mason has been the team’s starting right guard since 2015 when he started 10 games. He has since missed just seven games at the right guard spot. He had been one of the team’s most reliable offensive linemen.
The decision to trade Mason comes after the Patriots saw their other starting guard Ted Guard depart in free agency. New England has guard Michael Onwenu waiting to fill in one of those slots. But as for the other starting guard opening, the Patriots currently have Yasir Durant, Arlington Hambright and Drew Desjarlais. They could also, in theory, have interest in moving over one of their tackles, including Yodny Cajuste, Will Sherman or Justin Herron.
BREAKING: #Patriots RG Shaq Mason is being traded to the Bucs, per source.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) March 15, 2022
Patriots getting a fifth-round pick back in the Shaq Mason trade to Tampa, per source.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) March 15, 2022
Whatever the Patriots’ plans on the offensive line, they seem to have at least two openings, with a potential third if pending free agent tackle Trent Brown elects to leave in free agency.
