Sony Michel ‘was surprised’ Patriots traded him to Rams

The New England Patriots traded Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams earlier this week in exchange for two-late round draft picks. 

Speaking with reporters in Los Angeles Thursday, the running back said the move caught him off guard, according to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry.

“I was surprised,” Michel said. “I would assume that most people, when they’re traded, they’re surprised a little bit.”

Even though the Patriots had several running backs competing for a roster spot this summer, Michel said he never thought about the possibility that he could be traded.

“Last two days kind of just been, the best way I can put it is football terminology, sudden change,” Michel said. “It’s like, something suddenly happens and you just got to get ready to kind of execute. Not much time could be wasted. Just kind of got to get up, get ready to go and kind of get adjusted, acclimated with the new adjustment.”

The Patriots went through training camp with six running backs this summer, including Damien Harris, who took over the starting job from Michel last season, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor and Brandon Bolden. 

Stevenson and Taylor have impressed, which likely made Bill Belichick feel that he could part ways with Michel and still have a successful group in the backfield. 

Michel missed six games last season because of a quadriceps injury. In nine games, he rushed for 449 yards and a touchdown. It was his worst year in New England as he ran for 900-plus yards in each of his first two seasons. 

The 26-year-old has the opportunity to thrive in L.A. with Cam Akers sidelined due to a torn Achilles. He could be the team’s top running back, with Darrell Henderson Jr., Xavier Jones and Jake Funk the only other backs currently on the roster. 

The Rams have one more preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday before opening the 2021 season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 12.