New England Patriots trade linebacker Marte Mapu to Houston Texans

The New England Patriots have traded linebacker Marte Mapu to the Houston Texans in exchange for a pick swap in the 2027 NFL Draft, according to a league source. The Patriots will get the Texans’ sixth-round pick, while the Texans will get the Patriots’ seventh-rounder.

Mapu, 26, was part of Bill Belichick’s final draft as the Patriots’ head coach in 2023. The third-round pick out of Sacramento State has played under three different defensive head coaches in his first three NFL seasons, going from Belichick in 2023 to Jerod Mayo in 2024 and Mike Vrabel in 2025. His most productive season came in 2024, when he started nine games, recorded an interception and forced three fumbles.

Mapu’s role dwindled last year under Vrabel. He played in all 17 games but was primarily a special teamer. He played a career-low 12 percent of the defensive snaps while playing a career-high 58 percent of the special teams snaps. Mapu is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Mapu’s tangibles make him an intriguing player, but they present challenges for where he fits on the field. He’s smaller than typical linebackers but profiles as a bigger, physical safety. He did show value as a special-teamer, serving as a personal protector on the punt team.

The Texans present an opportunity for a fresh start for Mapu, and he gives an elite Texans defense depth at linebacker. In DeMeco Ryans, Mapu will play for his fourth head coach in his four NFL seasons. Coincidentally, Mapu’s past three head coaches were all standout linebackers in the NFL.