The New England Patriots have reportedly reached a deal to trade veteran kicker Nick Folk to the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
It was reported early on Tuesday that the Patriots were fielding trade offers for Folk, who had a strong training camp this year.
Things got so competitive that New England considered carrying Folk on their roster, along with rookie kicker Chad Ryland. Coach Bill Belichick mentioned it as a possibility, and it seemed probable given how inconsistent Ryland was in training camp.
Granted, the young kicker clearly has the stronger leg and more upside, but Folk’s consistency was also on full display.
The Patriots were likely never going to outright cut Ryland after spending a fourth-round draft pick on him. For better or worse, they made this bed, and now, they’re going to lie in it with the stronger, fresher and far more inexperienced leg.