New England Patriots acquire Kony Ealy from Carolina

The New England Patriots have bolstered their pass rush acquring Kony Ealy from the Carolina Panthers.

Fresh off winning the Super Bowl, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is remaking his roster.

A day after signing former Buffalo Bills corner Stephon Gilmore, the Patriots have traded for defensive end Kony Ealy.

In exchange for Ealy and a third round pick, the Patriots are sending Carolina a second round pick. The Panthers will have the 64th overall pick, while the Patriots move back just eight spots and will now have the 72nd overall pick.

The Panthers drafted Ealy in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, 60th overall. The Missouri product has started 15 games in three seasons with Carolina and has 14 career sacks.

Ealy had the best game of his career in Super Bowl 50. Ealy sacked Peyton Manning three times, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Had the Panthers won the Super Bowl, Ealy likely would have been named MVP.

The 25-year old was predicted to be a breakout candidate for Carolina last season after the Super Bowl. However, Ealy was only able to get five sacks, but was a good player against the run. Ealy is entering the final year of his contract and will be a free agent after the season.

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Ealy will likely start at left defensive end for the Patriots next season. Chris Long started at left defensive end for the Patriots last season. Long has already informed the Patriots that he will not re-sign with the club. Defensive end Jabaal Sheard is also a free agent and is not expected to re-sign with the Patriots again.