How Week 16 Changed Patriots’ Compensation From Keion White Trade
New England dealt White to San Francisco in October
The Keion White trade happened in late October, but the terms weren’t finalized until this week.
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Patriots sent White and a 2026 seventh-round pick to the 49ers for a 2026 sixth-round pick. However, the details of the trade include a notable stipulation: If White is active in at least seven games for San Francisco this season, New England will keep the seventh-round pick.
That condition was on Monday when White played in the 49ers’ road win over the Indianapolis Colts. The finalized trade is White straight-up for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
A second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, White showed significant promise over his first two seasons when he posted six sacks and started 17 games. But White’s tweener versatility became deemphasized in Mike Vrabel’s defensive scheme, which needed White to play more like a traditional edge rusher.
White saw his role reduced throughout training camp and was inactive for two of the first seven weeks. By the time he was traded, it was clear he needed a change of scenery.
In his first seven games for San Francisco, White posted 1.5 sacks and 10 tackles while playing 59% of defensive snaps and making two starts.
