Updated 9:45 a.m. ET Thursday, July 28

There hadn't been much noise from New England in the first 48 hours of moves, but they burst onto the scene Thursday morning.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Patriots traded a fifth-round pick in 2013 to the Redskins for DT Albert Haynesworth.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed that he talked with Mike Shanahan and that the team is in the process of acquiring Haynesworth, but wouldn't comment on it until the deal was completed.

The Redskins had been trying to unload Haynesworth, as he was a big distraction last season who didn't make much of an impact on the field. He is due to make $5 million this season.

Haynesworth played in just eight games last season, recording 2½ sacks. He had trouble staying in shape and was unhappy with his role in the Redskins' 3-4 defense.

The 10-year veteran had 8½ sacks for the Titans in 2008.

The way we see it

Haynesworth has the type of size that Bill Belichick likes on the defensive line, and the Patriots were pretty young there last year, especially with Mike Wright and Ty Warren injured.

The Patriots do run a base 3-4 defense, but certainly don't need Haynesworth to play the nose like he was asked to do in Washington. According to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss, the Pats were in their sub package more than 50 percent of the time. They struggled getting a pass rush and had the league's worst third-down defense.

Haynesworth will have to pass a conditioning test to make the team. Belichick didn't give up much for him, but he doesn't like distractions, so this could be a big risk for New England. However, it worked with Randy Moss for a few seasons, and it's not unlike Belichick to go out and get a veteran that another team does not want.