NFL insider provides updates on Patriots trade deadline options, confirms the team could be looking to add talent
New England could wind up buying and selling at the deadline, under the right circumstances.
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As talks between teams ramp up heading into the Nov. 5 trade deadline, the Patriots will have some key decisions to make regarding their roster.
While New England won’t likely be competitive this season, starting the year 2-6 with most external eyes already on 2025, reports earlier in the week still indicated the Patriots might be looking to add at the deadline.
Longtime NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed New England might be buyers, if the right situation became available, likening its situation to the Chicago Bears’ strategy last season.
The Bears struggled mightily in 2023, but added edge-rusher Montez Sweat before the trade deadline anyway, as an investment in the team’s future. Now Chicago is 4-3 and in the NFC playoff mix, and their roster investment paid off even in a lost season.
“Similar to what the Bears did last year, New England could use the trade deadline to beef up its young talent base and start free agency early,” Rapoport wrote. “They’ve already called on several players on the market and despite most assuming they’ll sell (which is possible), they could also buy in the right situation with a player who would be part of the Patriots’ future.”
If the Patriots are searching for a younger receiver to add, Darius Slayton was named as one player to watch around the deadline. He didn’t specifically mention Slayton alongside New England, though the trade could be similar to Sweat’s trade to Chicago.
Slayton is 27 years old and has shown promise to be a key figure at times in his NFL career, but is having a down season, and could be dealt since the Giants are underperforming.
Rapoport did emphasize that wide receivers Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn are both available for trade and receiving “interest on some level” from receiver-needy teams looking to bolster their rosters.
According to Rapoport, its possible the Patriots will have a foot in both camps, buying and selling, before the 4 p.m. deadline on Nov. 5.
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