The expectations have always been high for Keion White, but the New England Patriots' third-year defensive end continues to slide down the depth chart after he was one of the best players on the defense last season. He totaled 56 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and 16 quarterback hits, which was the most on the team.
With Mike Vrabel becoming the head coach in New England and implementing an aggressive style of defense, it was assumed that White would thrive in this scheme as the most physically dominant player on the team. Unfortunately, he has no, as he only has five tackles in four games, all while failing to tally a sack, a tackle for loss, or even a hit on the QB in 107 total snaps on defense.
He's also currently the No. 158 exterior defender among 169 eligible players on Pro Football Focus, with an overall grade of 43.4. Needless to say, it's a surprise to see how poorly White has performed.
Keion White Continues to Slide Down the Patriots Depth Chart
Coming off a 2024 season where White led the Patriots in total pressures (28), QB hurries (12), QB knockdowns (10), batted passes (5), and the second-most tackles for a loss (7), the presumption was that he would unlock a new level working with Vrabel and his coaching staff. White even said as much during training camp.
"I have a really good coach helping me. (Outside linebackers coach Mike Smith) was telling me steps, alignments, things like that, I haven't traditionally heard," White admitted on June 10. "So just that next step of having that coach behind me is really big for me... That's something I don't think I had before, and what I was missing; I was training myself; I'm not going to lie. Now I feel like I have a coach."
Two weeks ago, during a press conference at practice, Smith said that he views White as a starter and a player who is going to turn into something special sooner rather than later.
"I see Keion as a starter, even though he's not starting out there," Smith said on Sept. 25. "With Keion, it's to continue learning that position, but like I said from the beginning with Keion: when it clicks and it gets rolling, he's going to be something special. Just glad that he's in one room and he's learning that position."
Much to Patriots fans' dismay, it's been disappointing thus far for White, and it raises the question of whether he'll be on the team for much longer, as he's been demoted in New England and could be more serviceable for another team this season. The trade deadline is approaching on Nov. 4, and the Pats could opt to trade him if he isn't a part of their long-term plans.
Needless to say, the next few weeks will be telling for White's outlook in New England. If he shows flashes of his old self, the Patriots might decide to extend the partnership. But if not, and he continues to disappoint, the end of White's time with the franchise might be right around the corner.