Buccaneers trade Jonathan Casillas to New England Patriots

Update: Greg Auman reports the Bucs traded Casillas and a sixth-round pick for the Patriots' fifth-round pick.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trading linebacker Jonathan Casillas to the New England Patriots, according to Ian Rapoport.

Casillas was one of the first players the Bucs re-signed this offseason and expected to retain the job of starting strongside linebacker, but after missing one preseason game due to disciplinary action and playing poorly early on during the regular season, he swiftly lost his starting job to Danny Lansanah.

The Bucs save just over $500,000 in cap space by trading Casillas.

The Patriots have been a favorite trading partner of the Bucs lately -- or should I say that the Patriots have enjoyed trading with the Bucs. They've walked away with Aqib Talib, Tim Wright, and a fourth-round pick in exchange for Logan Mankins in recent years.

We'll have more on this trade as it develops. Stay tuned!