The Ryan Mallett trade rumors just won't go away.
According to NFL Network, there remains "mutual interest" between the Patriots and the Texans on a deal that would send New England's fourth-year backup to Houston.
On some level, such a deal would make sense. The Patriots drafted Eastern Illinois quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second-round of last weekend's NFL Draft. Mallett is entering the final year of the rookie contract he signed as a third-round pick out of Arkansas in 2011. And Houston continues to be looking for a quarterback/quarterbacks under first-year head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, even though the team took Pitt passerTom Savage in the fourth round last Saturday.
NFL Networkās **Ian Rapoport** said, "From what I understand, there is still a chance." He also indicated that a deal would likely need to get done before New England begins its OTA (organized team activities) workouts on May 27.
The only Patriots comment regarding a potential Mallett trade came from Bill Belichick on the first night of the draft when the coach reacted to trade rumors/reports from earlier that day saying, "Why don't you talk to whoever wrote the story? Since that person has all the answers, go talk to them."
Still, the smoke surrounding a possible Mallett trade just won't blow away.
Do you think Mallett will be traded? Should Mallett be traded? Let us know with a comment below!