The Patriots continued wheeling and dealing for offensive linemen on Friday.
According to ESPN, the Patriots have acquired center Russell Bodine in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. According to the Athletic, the Pats sent the Bills a 2020 sixth-round pick. This marks the third trade the Pats have made for an offensive lineman this week. The team also acquired tackle Korey Cunningham from Arizona and guard/tackle Jermaine Eluemunor from Baltimore on Wednesday.
A fourth-round pick in 2014, Bodine has been a full-time starter in the NFL since his rookie season. Over the last five seasons, the 27-year-old has started 74 of 74 games. The 27-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons in Cincinnati, starting every single game for the Bengals in that duration. In 2018, Bodine signed a two-year contract with the Bills. He started as Buffalo's backup before winning the center job in Week 3. He started all 10 games played last season before landing on the injured reserve with a broken fibula in Week 13.
This trade happened due to the Patriots losing their starting center David Andrews, who was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. On Thursday night, the Pats saw another backup offensive lineman get hurt when rookie guard Hjalte Froholdt left the game with an apparent injury.
With the acquisition of Bodine, the Patriots have options. He could start at center or be one of the top backups. Ted Karras is also a candidate to start at center or he could slide back to the role of top interior backup.
