The New England Patriots wouldn't budge until they had to. Maybe it was to prove that they could win without him, which they did, 19-17, over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots dealt wide receiver Deion Branch to the Seattle Seahawks for an undisclosed draft pick. The team would not yet reveal the round that they'll receive the pick, but all signs point to it being a first-rounder.

Branch refused to play for the Patriots unless he received a new contract, which the Patriots didn't want to give him at this point. Branch held out of minicamp and all of training camp, including the preseason. Last season, he caught 78 passes for 998 yards and five touchdowns while becoming Tom Brady's favorite target.

In Seattle, Branch will join receiver Darrell Jackson, the team's No. 1 receiver. Branch will probably be the team's second receiver, while the team also has Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, and D.J. Hackett. Although the team was held to three field goals against the Detroit Lions, they are very talented offensively and are deep at the receiver position. Acquiring Branch makes up for losing Joe Jurevicius to free agency.

The New York Jets had reportedly offered a second-round pick, which the team turned down considering the value and the fact that they would then have to face Branch twice a year.