FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots have acquired cornerback Jason McCourty and a 2018 seventh-round pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2018 sixth-round pick, and here are some quick-hit thoughts on the trade:
Economics highlight, in part, why Patriots traded for a player set to be released. The Browns planned to release McCourty on Thursday, so why would the Patriots trade for a player they could have signed as a free agent? First, to ensure they wouldn't lose McCourty to another team. And second, because the terms of McCourty's contract must have been viewed as favorable to the club -- he is scheduled to earn $2.