Is Chase Winovich’s magnificent mane in danger this weekend?

Linebacker/edge rusher Chase Winovich has so far survived the rookie haircut hazing ritual… but is Tom Brady really willing to let him off the hook?

While most fans of the NFL and of the New England Patriots might consider the looming roster cutdowns to be the biggest question and storyline of the weekend, there could actually be an even bigger, more life-altering question at play, and it’s this:

Will pass-rusher Chase Winovich have his long, flowing, Samson-like locks shorn as per rookie tradition?

Up until this point, Winovich has managed to evade the crosshairs of the team’s veterans when it comes to the hairs crossing his own head. But his days as a stylistic cousin to Clay Matthews and Noah Syndergaard may be coming to a close, as it now appears that quarterback Tom Brady has it out for Winovich… and perhaps this time, he’s actually serious.

Brady and Winovich – who it should be noted share the same alma mater in the University of Michigan – have had playful back-and-forth online exchanges all spring and summer about the dreaded rookie haircut ritual. As is tradition, Patriots veterans love to give rookies terrible, unflattering haircuts before the regular season begins.

Sometimes it’s a relatively simple adjustment, like when Brady reportedly shaved Jarrett Stidham’s head. Other times it can be a bit more drastic, such as when Tim Tebow got his famous “monk” hairstyle courtesy of his New England teammates – and he wasn’t even a rookie at the time!

According to NESN’s Zack Cox, Winovich posted a photo on his Instagram account that seemed to show Brady positioning his fellow Wolverine the same way a barber does a client. Winovich tagged Brady in the caption, acknowledging that while the quarterback may be thinking about giving him a rookie haircut, he should perhaps reconsider, as then Winovich “might look too much like him.”

Brady wasn’t about to be persuaded otherwise though. He commented underneath: “Sunday… the time has come! I’m sharpening my scissors now.”

Winovich has previously joked(?) that his hair gives him strength and power as a football player, and everything he’s done this preseason has certainly backed that notion up. The relentless motor and solid tackling of the third-round draft pick has turned heads all summer long, and Winovich easily earned commendation as arguably the Pats’ biggest defensive standout this preseason.

Now only time will tell if Brady is merely joking with his repeated threats, or if he actually intends to shear Winovich like a sheep this Sunday. We should have an answer no later than when the Patriots report for practices next week; just keep an eye out for any sign of yellow between the back of Winovich’s helmet and the nameplate on his jersey.