Patriots Trade Chase Winovich to Browns for Mack Wilson

Thomas Jefferson grad Chase Winovich has been traded from the New England Patriots to the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday for LB Mack Wilson.

In a message on Twitter, Winovich thanked New England, saying, “The love, spirit, and support have been absolutely unreal. This entire region will always hold the most special of places in my heart. The time is now for the next chapter of my journey.”

The Jefferson Hills native spent the past three seasons as an edge rusher with the Patriots after being drafted by them in the third round of the 2019 draft. He shined in his first two seasons with the Patriots, generating 5.5 sacks both seasons. He also forced a fumble and had an interception in his lone season as a starter in 2020.

He had fallen out of favor in New England during 2021. He didn’t record a start last season after starting nine games in 2020. He was only used in obvious pass-rushing situations and was even scratched in the Patriots playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Wilson has spent all of his three seasons in the NFL with the Browns. He was a fifth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has also fallen out of favor in Cleveland as he went from 14 starts in 2019 to five starts last season.

The trade was the second major acquisition by trade in a number of days for the Browns, who added wide receiver Austin Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. 

The Browns have also had significant departures, releasing wide receiver Jarvis Landry and center J.C. Tretter.