Getty Sony Michel
The New England Patriots got a call from the running-back-thirsty Los Angeles Rams, and they made a deal. The Patriots sent the Rams Sony Michel in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round pick and a sixth-round selection in 2022.
NEW ENGLAND TRADES:
Michel, Sony RB Georgia
LOS ANGELES RAMS TRADE:
Selection Choice–Round 6, 2022
Selection Choice–Round 4, 2023
The trade had been rumored earlier in the week as the Rams are dealing with a plethora of injuries at running back. New England was enjoying as much depth at the position as any team in the league with Damien Harris, Michel, rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor and veteran third-down specialist James White.
You could also throw veteran Brandon Bolden in the mix, though he has missed quite a bit of practice and training camp. With the two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum at the position, the fit for a trade was natural.
Unleash the Sony Michel Appreciation Tweets
When you play an integral role in helping a team win a Super Bowl, as Michel did for the Patriots in 2018, there is bound to be a good amount of appreciation for your efforts.
On Tuesday after news of the trade spread, Patriots Twitter started to show Michel some love. In case you forgot, Pats Buzz reminded us all of Michel’s 6 TD runs during the 2018-19 playoff run.
Never forget when Sony Michel had 6 rushing touchdowns in the 2018-19 playoff run.
Thank you for your time in New England Sony Michel. 🏆
Boston Sports launched his own Twitter appreciation post with the same highlight reel.
APPRECIATE YOU SONY MICHEL!!!
You will always be a Super Bowl champion with the Patriots!!
Good luck!
Can we get another We Love Sony tweet? You bet. Pats Pulpit also pays homage to Michel’s 2018 run.
Sony Michel was unstoppable during the 2018 playoffs.
As much as Patriots fans might appreciate Michel, this move was a smart one for the Patriots to make. They essentially used a position of power to help to replenish draft capital they traded away to acquire players like Christian Barmore this past offseason and more.
Losing Michel shouldn’t weaken their squad at all. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reminds us what’s left at RB for the Patriots.
Per @AdamSchefter, Patriots are trading RB Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two late-round conditional draft picks.
Patriots deep at RB, and now this lightens things:
🏈 Damien Harris
🏈 Rhamondre Stevenson
🏈 James White
🏈 J.J. Taylor
🏈 Brandon Bolden
The Shade and the Money Side of the Michel Trade
Cleveland Sportswriter Joe Pedone is identifying the Patriots’ drafting of Sony Michel as something of a bust pick as he reminds us New England took the new Ram over Nick Chubb in 2018.
Reminder that the Patriots drafted Sony Michel ahead of Nick Chubb 😬
Pats Buzz also talks up second-year RB Taylor. The Patriots believe in the small-ish back’s ability to contribute as a runner and receiver, which does make trading Michel a lot easier.
The Sony Michel trade is an indication of the trust New England has in Rhamondre Stevenson and J.J. Taylor.
Both have been excellent this preseason 🔥🔥
Never missing the money angle involved in any deal, Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan points out how Bill Belichick and Co. saved the organization money by trading Michel rather than releasing him.
As a part of the deal, the Rams will pay a good portion of Michel’s remaining salary.
The Rams are now responsible for paying Sony Michel’s 2021 salary $1,792,731. $555,747 of his salary is fully guaranteed. So the Patriots created more cap space with this trade than with a release.
Perhaps this move will help to free up a bit more cash that can be paid to All-Pro defensive back Stephon Gilmore, who is currently on the PUP list, but also unhappy with his contract.
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