After receiving permission to seek a trade, Davon Godchaux is indeed on the move. The veteran defensive tackle is being dealt from the Patriots to the Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
This deal will bring about a homecoming for Godchaux. The Plaquemine, Louisiana native spent his college career at LSU. After spending each of his first eight seasons in the AFC East, he will now head to New Orleans as a starting-caliber option along the defensive interior.
Godchaux has never posted more than two sacks in a season, but he has remained a strong presence against the run during his career. The 30-year-old worked out a new deal with New England last offseason (a two-year pact featuring a fresh set of guarantees), but his name came up in advance of the trade deadline. Godchaux got his wish in not being dealt, but he will now be on the move once the new league year opens and the deal becomes official.
Two years remain on Godchaux’s pact, and his $4MM base salary for 2025 is guaranteed in full. With only a $5MM cap charge for the season, though, the former fifth-rounder will provide the Saints with a cost-effective starter. That would especially be the case if a restructure were to be worked out upon arrival something The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports is expected to take place. New Orleans is among the teams which still need to make some moves (via cuts or more restructures) to achieve cap compliance over the next few days, but this deal will bring about cost certainty on the D-line.
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has made it clear retooling along the offensive and defensive lines will be a priory this offseason. One notable splash has already been made amongst outside free agents with edge rusher Harold Landry agreeing to a three-year pact. Losing Godchaux will create a vacancy on the interior, but the Pats can now proceed with finding Vrabel’s preference as a replacement as they sort out how to use their considerable cap space in free agency.