The Patriots inquired on Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard, Albert Breer of The MMQB hears. However, they were rebuffed – the Bucs say they’re keeping him, which jibes with what we heard last week. 
The Patriots learned that they may be forced to place Matt LaCosse on injured reserve, which led them to (another) reunion with veteran Ben Watson. Watson may still have something left in the tank, but he does not offer the athleticism and upside of Howard, a former first-round pick who has flashed major potential in the past.
The Bucs’ refusal to trade Howard is understandable, but still confusing to some – new head coach Bruce Arians has yet to make him a true focal point of the offense and he has just 13 catches for 176 yards so far this year, with no touchdowns. In six games, Howard has been targeted an average of three times, down from nearly five targets per game in 2018.
With eight days to go before the trade deadline, it sounds like the Patriots will continue to look for tight end help. In the meantime, they’ll work with what they’ve got as they get set to face the Jets tonight.
Good hopefully more teams stand up to the bully head coach in NE.
Interesting take. Is that how he gets good players? He tries to bully teams like the Bucs into trading people? Sure why not!
Lol what is this middle school? These are grown men being paid to make good decisions for their football team. If they are pressured into bad trades/signings from people outside their own organization, they probably shouldn’t be the ones in charge of making decisions.
Who let middle schoolers on this site.
Grow up, d0uche.
Arians offense has historically been pretty meh towards tight ends… why not part with Howard (if the return was right).
Not like the team is using him anyways.
Right!? Get a blocking TE for cheap and trade away a Howard for a nice return.
Please patriots, inquire on Jimmy Graham and get his no blocking sorry ass off the packers.
Hahaha
But, then you’d be complaining that he came to NE and excelled, and won a Super Bowl ring.
Buccaneers deserve the hell they are creating. Howard is, in all likelihood, not returning if he doesn’t see more targets or more wins, neither of which are likely. Bucs are going to lose him for nothing instead of getting a 1st rounder for him
This. Howard might not want to stay if he’s not being utilized and especially if they are not winning.