With a new regime in town, the Patriots were expected to make plenty of roster moves this offseason after recording back-to-back 4-13 seasons. It was clear something needed to be changed, and Mike Vrabel didn't take long to show what he was trying to accomplish for the 2025 season and beyond.
It has become a topic of conversation in New England since he was hired, as the new regime has released or traded every remaining dynasty-era player on the team, in addition to nearly every captain from the 2024 season. One of those players was Davon Godchaux, who received a contract extension last year and was traded to the Saints before this year's draft.
For the most part, despite some pushback from the fans, those who were released made sense and align with what Vrabel and Co. want to do with the roster. They proved that by signing or drafting their replacements, but some decisions might already be looking regretful.
That could be the case with Godchaux, who was a big part of the Patriots' defense since he signed with the team in 2021.
Davon Godchaux's future with the Saints could prove the Patriots made a mistake in trading him
Since moving to New Orleans earlier this offseason, Godchaux has made a good impression with his new team. That was expected, given how solid he has been as a nose tackle and the kind of leadership he brings to the locker room.
However, he's also standing out for his on-field performance, which has already gotten Lock On Saints podcast host Ross Jackson hyping up what he can do for the team's defensive line, particularly in stopping the run, which is something the Patriots have been struggling with in recent years.
“I think (acquiring) Davon Godchaux was such a smart trade and is something that will help to make that New Orleans Saints run defense better. (He) has the ability to play nose tackle but also go to that 3-4 defense (on the spot and) has the ability to stop the run.”
If Godchaux can easily transition to his new team and become one of, if not their best, run defenders, the Patriots could be kicking themselves for trading him in no time. It will all hinge on who they brought in to replace him, which might be upgrades, but that won't be known until mid-season.
The hope, of course, is that the direction of the new regime to build a young and violent defense will be a recipe for success, and their lingering issues at stopping the run won't be one of their weak points in 2025.
Based on their roster heading into training camp, there is a lot more optimism that this will be true. But it's never easy to lose a veteran like Godchaux, whose absence could have a longer-lasting impact than anyone imagined, even more so since players like Ja'Whaun Bentley and Deatrich Wise are also gone.
The new players expected to take over the defensive line have even more on their plates than they imagined, but hopefully, they can deliver, and trading Godchaux won't look like a big mistake.