Patriots Trade Idea Sends Two-Time Pro Bowler To 49ers

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has played for five teams in his NFL career, all in the last seven seasons.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox crafted “7 NFL Trades That Would Be Win-Win Moves” on Friday and came up with a proposal that would send Hooper to his sixth squad.

Knox’s idea has the Patriots moving the two-time Pro Bowler to the San Francisco 49ers for defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos.

“In this hypothetical scenario, the 49ers call the New England Patriots about backup tight end Austin Hooper. The 30-year-old saw just a single reception in Week 1 but caught 45 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns last season,” Knox wrote. “To make this a deal that also benefits the Patriots, the 49ers could offer defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos in a trade. He’s set to be a free agent in the spring and played just 17 defensive snaps in San Francisco’s season opener. However, he could help bolster a Patriots defense that surrendered 389 yards in Week 1.”

San Francisco recently placed six-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle on injured reserve so needs a replacement. Though Hooper is no Kittle, the 30-year-old has been consistent and durable in his nine-plus seasons.

The Stanford product has played in at least 13 games every year since he entered the league and has produced at least 25 catches each season, excluding his rookie campaign. Hooper has also posted two touchdown receptions or more every year except 2023.

Gross-Matos is in his sixth season since being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 27-year-old had a career-high 10 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks during the 2023 campaign with Carolina despite being limited to 12 games. Gross-Matos was productive again in 2024 (his first season with the Niners) even though he only played in 11 contests.

The Penn State product finished last season with seven quarterback hits, six tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.