The New England Patriots traded wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the New York Jets for a 2021 sixth-round pick on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Thomas, 31, was released by the Patriots at final cuts but re-signed two days later on Sept. 2. That was before New England added Antonio Brown, who joins Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett and Jakobi Meyers this week in a crowded wide receiver room.
The trade is the Patriots’ first with the Jets since they acquired coach Bill Belichick from New York for first-, fourth- and fifth-round picks in January of 2000. Belichick has now traded with all other 31 teams during his tenure in New England.
Headed to his fourth team since October, Thomas will be reunited with Jets head coach Adam Gase, who spent five seasons coaching Thomas with the Denver Broncos, three as his position coach (2010-12) and two as his offensive coordinator (2013-14).
The Broncos dealt Thomas before last year’s trade deadline to the Houston Texans, and he tore his Achilles in December. He hit free agency after the season and signed with the Patriots, catching seven passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in his only preseason game.
Thomas was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s season opener against Pittsburgh.
The 11th-year pro and four-time Pro Bowler totaled 59 catches for 677 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games before his injury last season. He has 688 catches for 9,330 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career.
The Jets have an open roster spot after defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd was suspended six games on Tuesday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.