NFL News: Patriots' Davon Godchaux Reportedly Allowed to Seek Trade Ahead of FA

Davon Godchaux's time with the New England Patriots may be coming to an end after four seasons.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday the AFC East team gave the defensive tackle permission to seek a trade ahead of the start of free agency. 

"There has been contact with interested teams, and the veteran is likely on the move given the team's defensive scheme shift," Rapoport added.

Godchaux's contract runs through the 2026 season, so he could be more than a one-year rental for interested teams. He is also 30 years old and should remain productive over the course of that deal despite New England's apparent willingness to part ways.

Notably, Godchaux made headlines in September when he said during a WEEI radio interview that some of his teammates were being "selfish" on the defensive side:

"Just being honest, we've got some guys being kind of selfish," he said. "I get it. I mean, we're down. Guys want to make plays. I get it. But everybody's got to play—I'm talking about defense—everybody has to play as 11. And everybody's got to sacrifice to do what's best for the team.

"I know some guys want to make plays when we're down, try to get back in the game. But we've got to just keep going as a team and play team defense."

That there would be changes on the defensive side of the ball this offseason comes as no surprise, as the new staff includes head coach Mike Vrabel, defensive coordinator Terrell Williams and defensive line coach Clint McMillan.

Rapoport pointed out Godchaux might not fit in the new schemes, which will surely push the Patriots to trade him away for anything of value they can get in return.

While the LSU product's stats are not going to jump off the page like an edge-rusher who accumulates sacks, he has been a solid force in the middle of New England's defense the last four seasons. He didn't miss a single game during that span and just posted 67 tackles as a run-stuffer up front in 2024.

Godchaux played the first four seasons of his career on the Miami Dolphins, but he may be heading outside the AFC East for the first time depending on which team trades for him this offseason.