The 2025 NFL Trade Deadline came and went, and the New England Patriots refrained from making any moves
Heading into Tuesday, many league insiders expected the Patriots to be buyers as they entered the week at 7-2, sitting near the top of the AFC. There was speculation the team might look to bolster its depth for a postseason push.
According to multiple sources, New England remained active on the phones, taking and making calls, particularly about veteran players such as running back Tony Pollard and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Despite their efforts, no deal came together.
At his Wednesday morning press conference, head coach Mike Vrabel used a colorful analogy to describe the trade deadline:
“I would say that deals are like being pregnant,” Vrabel said. “You either are or you aren’t. It’s either a deal or it’s not, so I don’t know how close you can be.”
That’s certainly one way to put it. Still, with the Patriots tied for the best record in the AFC and sitting atop the AFC East, many believed an aggressive approach at the deadline could have helped them strengthen their playoff positioning. The team now turns its focus to a tough matchup this Sunday against another two-loss team: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Later in his press conference, Vrabel reaffirmed his confidence in the Patriots’ front office and their overall approach to roster management.
“I know that everyone worked hard — that we investigated, looked in, made phone calls, and did what personnel departments do,” Vrabel added. “In the end, we decided that this was what we were going to do and decided to move forward with our preparation. I know there’s a lot of action and talk, but that’s kind of where we’re at.”
The quiet deadline was somewhat surprising given how active Vrabel, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf, and Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden have been this season. Their moves have included trading away safety Kyle Dugger and defensive end Keion White, along with releasing veteran Jabrill Peppers.
Many expected the Patriots to target help in the pass rush or running back departments. With Rhamondre Stevenson recovering from a toe injury, the assumption was New England would add another back. Instead, the team appears content with rookie TreVeyon Henderson and Terrell Jennings carrying the load.
It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Patriots were not among the top suitors for elite talent such as Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle or Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. New England continues to stick to its long-term philosophy, building sustainably for the future rather than sacrificing high draft picks for short-term gain.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 19-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Ben.BelfordPeltzman@gmail.com with any inquires.
