The Patriots have traded wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the Jets, according to ESPN.

The Jets sent a 2021 sixth-round draft pick to the Patriots in return.

This is a historic trade, because Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has final personnel say, had never executed a trade with his former team — until now. The Jets were the only team Belichick had not traded with since he became New England’s head coach in 2000.

Belichick famously bolted for New England after an oh-so-brief offseason stint as the Jets’ head coach in 2000. He opted to not replace Bill Parcells, who coached the Jets from 1997-99. And, well, you know what Belichick has done in New England — six Super Bowl rings.

As for Thomas, how much will he be able to help a Jets receiver room that features Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa, and Jamison Crowder?

That’ll be interesting to see, as Thomas reunites with Jets head coach Adam Gase, who expressed frustration about his receivers’ performance — and most notably, Anderson’s effort — in Sunday’s season-opener loss to the Bills.

But even with Thomas’ arrival, the Jets still don’t have a sure-thing No. 1 receiver. Thomas previously held that role in Denver. He isn’t that player anymore.

Thomas was expendable in New England after the Patriots signed former Raiders receiver Antonio Brown.

Thomas, 31, was with the Broncos from 2010-18. Gase was Denver’s receivers coach from 2009-12 and its offensive coordinator from 2013-14. So they have an extensive history together.

Midway through the 2018 season, the Broncos traded Thomas to the Texans. He signed a one-year contract with the Patriots in April, after he was released by the Texans. So he is a pending free agent this season, as his contract transfers to the Jets.

Thomas was involved in a serious car crash in February. So while he might be healthy enough to play now, it’s unclear what kind of condition he is in, particularly in the latter stages of his career. Remember, Thomas tore his Achilles tendon in Week 16 last year against the Eagles.

He was inactive for the Patriots’ season-opening win Sunday over Pittsburgh.

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Thomas’ last Pro Bowl year was 2016, when he had 1,083 yards and five touchdowns. The next year, he had 949 yards and five touchdowns. Last year, with Denver and Houston, he had just 677 yards and five touchdowns. It was his worst year since 2011, his second year in the NFL. From 2012-17, he averaged 1,303 yards and eight touchdowns per season.

How much of that production does he have left? The Jets are about to find out.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.