Patriots: 5 most surprising Bill Belichick moves ever
By Noah Green
With Patriots All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore holding out of training camp in pursuit of a new contract, many fans are fearing the worst.
When it comes to Bill Belichick coached teams, nothing is off the table. As all Pats fans know, Belichick is notorious for trading away or cutting players due to significant contract demands or sometimes even to just “send a message.”
This reputation does not exclude star players of Gilmore’s caliber.
Coach Belichick has not been the perfect general manager, but many of his shocking moves have provoked a confused and angry Pats Nation, but often result in a more successful football team in the end.
With 21 years of unapologetic decision making in New England, let’s take a look at the five most surprising roster decisions Belichick has made.
5. Trading Richard Seymour (2009)
Oh boy, remember this one?
Coach Belichick trading five-time Pro Bowl DL Richard Seymour to Oakland for a first-round pick back in 2009 truly shocked the entire NFL. Seymour was arguably the best player on this list at the time of the deal. He was a generational talent, one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and a three-time Super Bowl champion in New England.
Similar to another move we’ll get to later on this list, Seymour was not just a star on the field, but a beloved player within the locker room and to all of Pats Nation. The trade would go one to save the team a ton of salary cap space with Seymour approaching a big payday as he was set to enter his age-30 season. Coach Belichick was showing again that no one is safe from being traded or cut under when he’s calling the shots.
Seymour would go on to be a two-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders before retiring after the 2012 season.