Patriots could take surprising approach at trade deadline?
Aug 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A New England Patriots helmet sits on the sideline during the first half against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots are nowhere near playoff contention despite their Week 8 win over the New York Jets, but apparently they have not ruled out trying to add players ahead of next week’s trade deadline.
According to NFL reporter Josina Anderson, the Patriots are looking for ways to improve at three positions — wide receiver, offensive tackle, and defensive tackle — before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
I’m told the #Patriots are monitoring the trade market to potentially add talent at WR, DT or T positions on the heels of the rousing 25-22 win of the NY #Jets, per source.
The trade deadline is November 5th, 4pm EST.@BovadaOfficial pic.twitter.com/ASqUyHXDwr
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 29, 2024
That seems a bit hard to believe. New England improved to 2-6 with their win over the New York Jets on Sunday. They certainly need to improve their roster, but most teams in their position would be looking ahead to the offseason, where they can build for the future via the draft and free agency.
While the Patriots could check in on inexpensive players, it is highly doubtful that they would give up draft capital to acquire an impact player midseason.
We already saw the Patriots trade away one of their better defensive players and get very little in return. It would make a lot more sense for them to continue to be sellers. Perhaps they are simply trying to maintain leverage by making it seem like they could look to buy.