The Athletic's Diana Russini first reported that Polk was traded to the New Orleans Saints, along with a 2028 seventh-round pick. The New England Patriots get a 2027 sixth-round pick in return for the former second-round pick.
The Patriots drafted Ja'Lynn Polk, 23, with the 37th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a 1,100-yard season with nine touchdowns at Washington.
The Patriots originally held the 35th pick, but traded that and their fifth-rounder to the Los Angeles Chargers, who drafted Ladd McConkey and Tarheeb Still with the picks they received from New England, for the 37th and 110th overall picks, the last of which turned into WR Javon Baker, who the Patriots cut before the 2025 season.
Polk struggled massively in his first and only season in Foxborough, recording just 87 yards from 12 receptions in 15 games (7 starts). Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Polk was placed on season-ending IR after suffering a shoulder injury in camp.
The trade means the New England Patriots have just three of their eight 2024 draftees under contract, with Drake Maye the only active player since OT Caedan Wallace and DB Marcellas Dial were placed on the injured reserve list ahead of the current NFL season.