New England traded linebacker Jesse Solomon to Tampa Bay on…

The Exchange

New England traded linebacker Jesse Solomon to Tampa Bay on September 18, 1991 for the Buccaneers' fifth-round choice in the 1992 draft. The pick became No. 116, which the Patriots used on Dwayne Sabb. Solomon had reached New England through a separate trade with Dallas shortly before this move, but that earlier transaction was not part of the Tampa Bay package. New England Patriots Return The Patriots turned Solomon into a fifth-round selection after a brief stay with the club. That was useful asset recovery because New England exchanged a veteran it was willing to move for a pick with a reasonable chance to produce young depth. The Patriots used No. 116 on Sabb, giving the organization a direct draft outcome from the deal rather than merely carrying the selection into another transaction. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Return Tampa Bay received Solomon as an immediate linebacker option. The Buccaneers paid a fifth-round pick, a meaningful but manageable cost for a veteran they could use without waiting for development. Solomon did not transform the franchise, so the value of the move remained limited, but the acquisition was understandable for a club seeking current defensive help. Value in Hindsight The trade stayed modest on both sides. Tampa Bay received the known player, while New England converted a short-term roster asset into a mid-round pick and selected Sabb. The Patriots' ability to create a new draft opportunity from Solomon gives them a slight advantage, especially because the Buccaneers did not receive enough lasting impact to overwhelm the value of the surrendered choice. Final Verdict New England earns a C+ and Tampa Bay a C. The Buccaneers did not pay an extreme price, and Solomon provided immediate roster value. The Patriots nevertheless turned a brief acquisition into No. 116 and gained the more durable asset position. The earlier Dallas-New England trade remains context only and does not change the direct comparison here.