Patriots Trading Marte Mapu to Texans in Late-Round Pick Swap The New England Patriots have finalized a trade that sends linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, according to reports from the Houston Chronicle. The deal marks the conclusion of Mapu’s three-year tenure with the Patriots, who initially planned to release him before the Texans presented a trade offer. The move comes as the Patriots seek to bolster depth at the linebacker position, which has seen several departures this offseason. Mapu, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was acquired by the Patriots as part of Bill Belichick’s final draft class. During his time with the team, he played both linebacker and safety roles, adapting to Mike Vrabel’s new defensive scheme. His career with the Patriots included 44 games, with 10 starts, and he recorded 89 tackles, three interceptions, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hit, and 12 pass breakups. Mapu, 26, began his Patriots career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker in 2025, primarily playing on third-down passing situations. He was expected to earn $1.5 million in 2026. The trade leaves the Patriots with a mix of veteran and younger linebackers, including Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, K.J. Britt, Chad Muma, Amari Gainer, and Otis Reese. The team also cut linebacker Jahlani Tavai this offseason and allowed Jack Gibbens to leave via free agency to the Arizona Cardinals. This decision reflects the Patriots’ ongoing efforts to refine their linebacker corps, which has faced challenges in maintaining consistency and depth. Mapu’s departure signals the end of his time with the Patriots, who had previously considered releasing him before the trade.#new_england_patriots #mike_vrabel #houston_texans #bill_belichick #martes_mapu
Patriots Agree to Trade LB Marte Mapu to Texans The New England Patriots have finalized a trade that sends linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans, marking a significant move in the team’s offseason restructuring. The deal, confirmed by multiple sources, involves a late-round draft pick swap between the two franchises. This transaction comes after the Patriots initially announced their intention to release Mapu earlier in the week, shifting their strategy from a potential cut to a trade that provides value for the player’s remaining contract. According to reports from Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have agreed to acquire Mapu in exchange for a late-round pick. The trade was finalized ahead of the NFL draft, which is set to begin in late April. While the specifics of the draft pick’s round were not disclosed, the swap reflects the Texans’ interest in adding depth to their linebacker corps, particularly in the wake of recent roster changes. Marte Mapu, a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has spent the past three seasons with the Patriots. Over his tenure, the 24-year-old linebacker has appeared in 44 regular-season games, with 10 of those starts. His role has primarily been on special teams, where he has been a reliable contributor. In 2025, Mapu was on the field for 58 percent of the unit’s snaps, while his involvement on defense was limited to just 12 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. This specialization has shaped his career trajectory, as the Patriots have focused on his ability to handle kick returns and punt coverage rather than his defensive impact. Mapu’s performance has been consistent but unremarkable in terms of statistical production. His career highlights include a few key returns, but he has not been a standout in traditional defensive metrics.#new_england_patriots #special_teams #houston_texans #nfl_draft #martes_mapu
