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Patriots Trade Idea Lands 99-Game NFL Veteran from AFC Playoff Team originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots have one sure-thing starter at safety for the 2026 NFL season, Kevin Byard.
It may behoove them to upgrade the other spot, though, which currently belongs to Craig Woodson.
In a new article by Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, that's the thinking: The suggestion is a trade for Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart.
Moton speculates it would only cost a late-round 2027 NFL Draft pick to land Stewart in a deal with Houston.
"New England lost safety Jaylinn Hawkins to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency," Moton writes. "Although the Patriots signed Kevin Byard, they need someone to compete against Craig Woodson for snaps at the position. In 2025, Woodson allowed seven touchdowns and a 133.9 passer rating in coverage. Stewart is a solid eight-year veteran who can push him for a spot alongside Byard. With a loaded secondary, the Texans won't demand much for the versatile defensive back."
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Stewart's 2025 season ended early due to injury. In nine games, he had 25 tackles and two passes defensed.
As long as he's healthy, Stewart brings ample experience.
He was a second-round pick in 2018 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of North Carolina.
He has played 99 games in the NFL overall, picking off a pair of passes (both in 2020 with the Browns) and totaling 237 tackles, 15 passes defensed and four forced fumbles.
Stewart has only been a part-time starter during his career, but given Woodson's occasional struggles for the Pats, it makes sense to get a guy like Stewart and see who is in better shape to play most of the time.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Stewart will turn 31 in September, so this isn't a long-term play. This is about upgrading a roster that just made it to the Super Bowl. If the chance is there, it makes sense for the Patriots to go for a deal like this one.
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