The New England Patriots are currently sitting in second place in the AFC East, and with a ton of injuries beginning to pile up, especially in the wide receiver room, it would make sense for New England to be involved in the WR trade market.
Reuniting Drake Maye with his college WR, Josh Downs, in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts makes perfect sense. But such a fun reunion might not come to pass with the latest update on the Patriots’ trade deadline plans.
According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, the Patriots’ plan for the NFL trade deadline is not one fans will like to hear. Instead of acting as buyers, this NFL insider would be surprised if the Patriots bought, and instead, Christian Barmore might be on his way out.
Patriots might sell Christian Barmore before buying at NFL trade deadline
“I would be surprised if the New England Patriots made a trade for a player before the deadline,” Jones reports. “I would be even more surprised if a deal happens close to the deadline than this upcoming week.”
This report from an NFL insider is not what the fans in New England will like to hear. With a chance of winning the AFC East, the Patriots might stand pat at the deadline.
Even if the Buffalo Bills go out and land help on defense, or upgrade their offense in some way, the Patriots adding talent at this year’s trade deadline would be a “surprise” in the eyes of Jones.
Part of why that might come true is that the Patriots are traveling overseas to Munich, Germany, for their Week 10 matchup. It might be hard to trade for a player the week of such a game and get that player up to speed for an overseas game.
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With that in mind, a trade for New England, if there is one, would more likely happen at some point after Week 8 and before Week 9.
For the Patriots, wide receiver help is an obvious need, and adding more offensive line talent couldn’t hurt either. But instead, Jones would be surprised if they made any sort of addition.
Barmore, instead, might be someone on the move this year, as the rumors surrounding his availability have really picked up as the deadline draws near.
Unfortunately for Patriots fans, it seems that, based on this report, the team is more likely to stand pat at the 2026 NFL trade deadline than they are to get Maye some help.
It’s too soon to write of the Patriots making a trade before the deadline just yet, but Mike Vrabel’s squad is not looking likely to add any help this year based on this report from Jones.
