The New England Patriots didn't bring anyone new to the locker room at the NFL trade deadline, which is good news for anyone on the roster who was worried about being replaced. Now, head coach Mike Vrabel knows who'll have leaning down the stretch, making it interesting to see if the Pats can make some postseason noise.
A quiet trade deadline was a huge win for many, but especially outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who has not adjusted well to Vrabel, defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, and LBs coach Zak Kuhr's system. As Jennings and the rest of the team learned, there's still time for him to figure it out, and it'll be up to the veteran defender to prove himself in the campaign's second half.
Anfernee Jennings Must Step Up After Patriots Show Faith in Him
There were options available for executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to explore at the position. Miami Dolphins OLB Bradley Chubb, Tennessee Titans OLB Arden Key, and New York Jets LB Quincy Williams were all available, though it's unclear if they would've struck a deal for an AFC East foe, or if Tennessee’s owner, Amy Adams Strunk, wanted to do business with the Pats based on how things ended with Vrabel.
Still, the state of the Titans, Dolphins, and Jets right now dictates they should've taken whatever they can get for their veterans.
Things got even more serious with Seattle Seahawks LB Boye Mafe. New England reportedly "made a call on" Mafe but couldn't strike a deal with John Schneider and Co., Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Tuesday night on Early Edition.
Wolf stood pat, though, giving Jennings the benefit of the doubt. Jennings has eight tackles and a sack while missing 16.7% of tackling attempts in six games, but has been a big producer for the Patriots over the past two years before this one. That's likely why the team wasn't ready to turn the page just yet, and it's clear that the ex-Alabama LB is happy to be in the opportunity he's in.
“I want to be here,” Jennings said after Tuesday's deadline passed, per MassLive's Mark Daniels. “I’m here. That’s what it is.”
Jennings saw his locker roommate, defensive end Keion White, get traded to the San Francisco 49ers last week and conceded that "it’s just all a part of the business" on Tuesday. He clearly took the rumors in stride, and now the ball is in his court to make good on his second chance. The Patriots have faith in him, and if Jennings doesn't capitalize on his new lease on life, some decisions will have to be made.
Jennings is signed through 2026, but that doesn't mean the Patriots won't cut him after the season. A trade or release at any point in the offseason would create $4 million in cap savings for New England, according to Spotrac, which is more than enough money to find a replacement option.
Time will tell if Jennings can prove he belongs with the Patriots over the final half of the season. Otherwise, it'll look like Wolf & Co. had made a trade deadline mistake.