The Patriots stood pat at the NFL trade deadline for the second straight year, making no changes on Tuesday.
There are several positions on New England’s roster that could have used reinforcements, but the Patriots elected to move forward with the group they have.
It’s unsurprising that the Patriots shied away from a splashy deal, one that would have required significant draft capital, because the team already took a big swing by trading for wide receiver A.J. Brown this past offseason. In order to acquire Brown, the organization sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Eagles.
If the Patriots were to have made a deal by Tuesday, it probably would have been for a depth piece. Running back seemed like a possibility, given the recent knee injury to Rhamondre Stevenson, as well as the uncertainty surrounding TreVeyon Henderson’s future. Edge rusher also seemed plausible, given the unit’s lack of depth since the start of the season.
Really, a move at several positions (e.g. tight end, interior offensive line, linebacker, safety, defensive tackle) could have made sense.
Instead, the Patriots hope they can improve via their internal talent. The return of wide receivers Brown (knee/ankle) and Romeo Doubs (shoulder) should boost the passing attack. A healthy guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and fullback Reggie Gilliam should improve the run game. Maybe outside linebacker Harold Landry will be able to return off the physically unable to perform list to help the pass rush.
In the leadup to Tuesday’s deadline, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he and the front office would pursue anything that would help improve the roster.
There also was a chance that the Patriots would part with some of their own players, potentially shipping out defensive tackle Christian Barmore or cornerback Carlton Davis. Even though Barmore and Davis have played meaningful snaps this season, moving on from either would have given the Patriots additional draft capital as well as financial flexibility. But the Patriots couldn’t find the right partner, which helps preserve their depth this season.
Other contenders in the AFC beefed up their defenses, with the Bills acquiring safety Amani Hooker from the Titans and the Jaguars acquiring safety Jessie Bates from the Falcons in addition to defensive tackles Jordan Davis from the Eagles and Davon Godchaux from the Saints. The Broncos traded for linebacker Daiyan Henley from the Chargers, while the Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Colts.
The lack of movement at the trade deadline could be a reflection of how the Patriots’ coaching staff and front office view this team. But Vrabel said Monday he sees them as contenders.
“We’re 5-4,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of contending teams that are 5-4. I think that’s the nature of the National Football League. We’ve got to draw a line here. We’ve got to think that we’re 0-0, and we’ve got to start putting ourselves in position to play meaningful games in January or in the middle of January.
“It’s usually what happens in the National Football League. A bunch of teams get bunched up and they go in different directions. I know the direction that we’re going to head in, and that’s going to be the one that’s forward, positive, and winning.”
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.