Chase Winovich throws shade at Patriots while discussing Browns trade

The New England Patriots are expected to have an entirely different linebacker rotation next season. For starters, they released Kyle Van Noy, let Jamie Collins test free agency, and have yet to make a decision on Dont’a Hightower.

In a full-fledged youth movement, the Patriots re-signed Ja’Whaun Bentley and acquired 24-year-old Browns linebacker Mack Wilson in a trade that sent 2019 third-round draft choice Chase Winovich to Cleveland.

Additionally, New England is expected to give the likes of Raekwon McMillan, who tore his ACL during training camp last year, and former draft picks Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings more looks at the position in 2022.

That has to sting for Winovich, who played sparingly over his three years in Foxborough. How would you feel after riding the bench for three years only to get traded the second the door finally opened for you to have a bigger role?

Probably not great. So you can imagine Winovich has been waiting for the right opportunity to throw shade at his former team.

On Monday, he did just that.

Chase Winovich is seemingly holding a grudge after the Patriots trade him this offseason

Here’s what Winovich told the Browns’ media.

"In life, we’re very quick to assign things as good or bad, success or failure, this or that. But I think ultimately that removes any possibility, and the possibility is that it could be the best thing to ever happen to me.I’m just very thankful that the Cleveland Browns believe in me, and I certainly have been putting in the work and effort to make sure that I’m prepared come season. I’m just really fired up to be here."

Would we have liked to see Winovich thank the Patriots? Sure, but that will come with time … maybe. At the end of the day, he’s human and still has hard feelings after the team that struggled in his area of expertise (rushing the passer) shipped him out of town for a linebacker who will likely start in 2022.

The good news for Winovich is he should have a bigger role in Cleveland. While the Browns re-signed edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney this week, the Michigan product should be the top backup pass rusher behind Clowney and Myles Garrett.

Takkarist McKinley filled that role last year before he tore his ACL. In 11 games, the former first-round pick logged 319 snaps, which equates to about 29 per game. That sure sounds better than being relegated to special teams and playing 35 defensive snaps over the final seven games of last season, no?

We’re not going to hold it against Winovich for throwing shade. He feels a way and that’s fine, but he’ll ultimately have to let his play determine whether the trade ends up being “the best thing that ever happened” to him.

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