New England Patriots: Could Falcons' Struggles Benefit The Patriots?

Dale Zanine- USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots are coming off of their first loss of the season after their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The team that they beat the week previous is having their struggles, especially against the AFC East. The Atlanta Falcons have lost three straight games to the Miami Dolphins, Patriots and the New York Jets. A team that went to the NFC Championship last year is now looking at a 1-4 record and may have just lost their best player receiver in Julio Jones for the rest of the season. The Falcons have said they are not giving up on their season, and luckily for them are on a bye this week.

This got me thinking about what would happen if the Falcons were to lose Jones for the season and came out of the bye with another loss. It is no secret that Tony Gonzalez has never won a Super Bowl, and he returned this season for a chance to win one. Well with the struggles of the Falcons and the Patriots’ need for another weapon, especially at TE, the Falcons could make for a perfect trade partner. Gonzalez is 37 and on his way out of the league after a Hall of Fame career, but he still has plenty left in the tank to make an impact on a good team. After a slow start to the season, Gonzalez has been great as of late and has had 10 or more receptions in his last two games. He looks to be a big part of the Falcons offense if they want to turn it around, but he did not return to the NFL for a 17th season to be on a losing team.

The Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, and the two are still good friends from Dimitroff’s days under Belichick. If the Falcons were to throw this season away and look ahead to next, Tony Gonzalez to the Patriots would not be that farfetched. Dimitroff would be dealing with a coach and team that he knows well and respects, and Gonzalez would get to play on a team that has a chance to make a deep run into the playoffs. As of now there is nothing in the works, but this is a story to keep an eye on over the next couple weeks because if Gonzalez is going to get traded, the Patriots are going to be on the top of the list for possible destinations.

Jared Smith is a Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shmity91, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.