The Keion White era with the New England Patriots came to a close this week when the franchise shipped the defensive end, and a future seventh-round pick, to the San Francisco 49ers as part of a trade for a 2026 sixth-round selection.
It isn't rare to see players look to cast blame elsewhere, whether it be on the coaching staff or the scheme itself, after being involved in a mid-season trade, regardless of the sport. In White's case, however, he took the high road by admitting that he failed to live up to expectations during his two-plus seasons in New England.
"No knock to the guys over there," White said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "They had a system and everything like that where I was outside. I could have been better on the outside rushing, and just roll with what I could have done better."
White Takes High Road When Reflecting on Ending With Patriots
Given the expectations that come with being selected in the first two rounds of the draft, let alone the top 50, White failed to build off of what he accomplished during the 2024 season, where he appeared in all 17 games and recorded 56 total tackles, five QB sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.
The change in coaching staff brought a new defensive scheme, and White didn't fit what head coach Mike Vrabel wanted from that side of the ball. Before being traded, White was barely a blip on the radar of the Patriots' defense, compiling just six tackles in five games played for New England during the 2025 campaign.
White could have pointed out all of these different things as valid reasoning for not meeting expectations week in and week out. He understood his skill set was not a fit in New England, though. There was no need for him to burn bridges on his way out of town, as San Francisco should offer him an opportunity to hit the reset button on his still young career. With injury issues plaguing the Niners along the defensive front, White should have a chance to show what he can provide sooner rather than later.
On the Patriots' side of things, they get out of the final year on White's contract for the 2026 campaign and can now move forward in filling his spot on the roster with a player who would fit what it is Vrabel and company are looking for better than the former Georgia Tech standout did.