The New England Patriots trading away star linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns came as a shock to many, but this is what Bill Belichick does. He is subscribed to the "It's better to trade them too early than too late" theory for players and has made his personnel moves accordingly.

The clock was ticking on Collins, who was set to become a free agent in the offseason, and Belichick made a move he's made many times before: Giving up a talented player in order to keep the team's cap situation tidy and prolong the Patriots' run of success.

If this was any other coach/general manager, they'd be skewered. Instead, the initial reaction is to think, What's wrong with Player X?

Stages of a Belichick trade: 1. Shock

2. Anger

3. Rationalization

4. Acceptance

5. Complete social-media destruction of player traded — Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) October 31, 2016

This Collins trade smells like the Easley release. Had to be a lot more going on behind the scenes other than contract talk — Ben Volin (@BenVolin) October 31, 2016

We've seen Belichick move on from star players like Richard Seymour, Randy Moss and, most recently, Chandler Jones. Those moves made some sense at the time. Seymour was creeping toward 30 and the Raiders were offering a first-round pick. Moss was well over 30 and looking for more money. Jones was traded in order to keep money open for guys like Dont'a Hightower and, ironically, Collins.

That's what makes this deal so hard to explain. The Patriots just aren't getting very much in return for a young, versatile player who will only get better in the years to come.

Yes, Collins is headed toward free agency and New England is not likely to give in to his reported demands of "Von Miller money," but the Patriots are still giving up half a season of a good player for not much in return. That's not good business anyway you spin it.

The Browns are reportedly sending New England a third-round compensatory pick, which will convert to a normal fourth-round pick if Collins leaves Cleveland this offseason and does not yield a third-round compensatory pick for the Browns. In all likelihood, Collins will fetch the Browns that pick, so the Patriots have essentially swapped identical draft picks for the right to kick Collins off the roster.

(For the Browns, this move is a no-brainer. They haven't given up any value, and they can now package Collins with any of their other trade assets and add to their already impressive cache of picks. Or they could attempt to re-sign Collins in order to add some much-needed talent to the defense.)

Even from a football perspective, it's hard to reconcile this deal from New England's point of view, which many have tried to do.

Not surprised by the Pats trading Colllins. Not been playing well at all they need to get the defense fixed. This will get their attention — michael lombardi (@mlombardifoxtv) October 31, 2016

Collins on the second play of the game does whatever he wants and Bills gain 28 yards. Been happening all year. It was not going to continue — michael lombardi (@mlombardifoxtv) October 31, 2016

Let's concede that Collins isn't as good a player as many think he is. That's a valid argument, and the fact that Michael Lombardi, a Belichick confidant, is throwing it out there could be a sign that Belichick feels the same way. OK, Collins is merely good. But why get rid of a merely good player who is being paid a modest salary for no value whatsoever? The roster is now less talented and the salary cap is still in the same spot. This move does nothing to improve the franchise.

It does take one of Belichick's most versatile chess pieces off the board in the playoffs. Say what you want about Collins' discipline, but he could do so many things — especially on passing downs, when NFL games are won or lost. He's one of the better coverage linebackers in the league.

1st 3rd down vs. Texans. U think LB Jamie Collins knows the play? He just continues over the top bc he knows rub route/RB to flat/ called. pic.twitter.com/BH4ur1SmhJ — Cover 1 (@Cover1Bills) September 30, 2016

And he's an instinctive pass rusher, who has been the Patriots' most productive blitzer. That's a good trade off for the occasional poor run fit.

#Browns Hue Jax on Jamie Collins: "The way he freelances is okay with me. He's a very talented player'' — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) October 31, 2016

