Could the Patriots and Bucs team up on another tight end trade, this time involving O.J. Howard? Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trading for O.J. Howard is still on table for Patriots

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 4/22/20

Although the New England Patriots couldn't land O.J. Howard in the trade that sent Rob Gronkowski to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the option to acquire him reportedly isn't off the table.

While OJ Howard was not a part of the Gronk trade, I'm told there remains a diatinct possibility he ends up in New England. That is hardly the only option for him but it is very much alive
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 22, 2020

The Patriots current tight end situation isn't great as they've only got Ryan Izzo and Matt LaCosse in the pipeline for 2020, and both disappointed during the 2019 season.

Trading for Howard makes plenty of sense for New England, unless of course Bill Belichick isn't interested in putting together a competitive team in 2020.

Gronkowski's arrival to the Buccaneers has set the stage for an inevitable Howard departure, and whoever ends up acquiring the tight end will be receiving a pretty talented player.

In three seasons with the Bucs, Howard has 94 receptions for 1,456 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2017 draft, and could be a much better fit in New England.

If Belichick wants second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham to look any sort of good in 2020, then he should probably get him some help ... and acquiring Howard would be a start.

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