The Tampa Bay Buccaneers desperately needed help on the offensive line. The Patriots needed a second tight end to pair with Rob Gronkowski. The two teams were able to help each other out.
According to FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Bucs have agreed to send tight end Tim Wright to the Patriots for guard Logan Mankins:
Breaking: the Patriots have agreed to parameters of a trade to send Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Bucs for a pick and TE Tim Wright
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 26, 2014
The deal helps both teams in places of need. The Buccaneers are looking to win now. Their defense is much improved, and the offense returns running back Doug Martin, to go along with a huge pair of wide receivers in Vincent Jackson and first-round pick Mike Evans.
Now the team adds Mankins, a six-time pro bowler, who will step in immediately at left guard, and help to solidify the Bucs offensive line.
For the Patriots, Wright gives the team another receiving threat at the tight end position. The team was at their best when Gronkowski teamed with Aaron Hernandez to wreak havoc on opposing defenses. Getting a draft pick as well only sweetens the pot.
This is a case of two teams with Super Bowl aspirations trying to make moves to put them over the top. Time will tell which team got the better end of the deal.
