Outspoken Patriots Defensive Leader ‘Shocked’ By These Rumors

Joshua Uche wasn’t the only well-known member of the Patriots defense whose name was floated in trade rumors.

Davon Godchaux also recently was identified by an NFL insider as a New England player “to keep an eye on” with the NFL’s Nov. 5 deadline quickly approaching. Godchaux relayed his thoughts on the speculation to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed.

“Yeah, I was shocked, but at the end of the day, this is a business,” Godchaux told Kyed. “I mean, (expletive) happens all the time. I’m sure some guys think they could be on the team for a long time, and something happens. This is the business of the NFL. This is what we signed up for.”

Godchaux’s surprised reaction to the chatter is understandable. Uche was a textbook trade candidate given his expiring contract, whereas the veteran nose tackle signed a two-year extension with the Patriots in late August.

As a solid interior defensive lineman who also is an effective leader, Godchaux could fetch a nice trade return for New England in the coming weeks. But the 29-year-old told Kyed he’s “happy” with the Patriots, so he seemingly is hoping to move forward with his NFL career in Foxboro, Mass.