The New England Patriots stuck to their original blueprint for building their program by standing pat at the trade deadline despite being in a position to challenge for one of the AFC's top playoff seeds down the stretch.
That said, the Patriots weren’t exactly quiet leading up to the deadline either. In doing so, New England traded safety Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh and defensive end Keion White to San Francisco in exchange for a pair of sixth-round draft picks in 2026.
By trading White, the Patriots add over $2.6 million to their salary cap over the next two years and upwards of $35 million by trading Dugger, who they just re-signed to a four-year, $58 million contract extension just last year.
The only qualm I have with the Patriots not adding at the trade deadline is that they traded two players in already-thin positions without adding to them. At the same time, it's clear that acquiring draft picks is all part of New England's plan.
Patriots Stuck To Their Plan By Not Buying At Trade Deadline
The Patriots' plan has been focused on building a core foundation through the draft while also adding talent in free agency with veterans who are in the prime of their careers. The front office standing strong at the trade deadline is an indicator that tells the team that the coaching staff and management truly believe in the players and the direction of the roster.
It also shows how head coach Mike Vrabel feels about his team and is pleased with the growth he's seen every week this season. He's confident with elevating practice squad players for game day purposes and making sure that they're also getting valuable reps and coaching as he tells them to prepare as a starter.
Vrabel arrived with a plan on how to improve the team, which is working to perfection in just the first year behind the bench. That also proves to the players that the team is moving in the right direction, and they believe in their coach in the same way that the coach believes in them.
The Patriots currently have something special brewing in Foxborough, and despite the allure of adding a piece that could lift them to higher heights, it's ultimately not worth the possibility of destroying the chemistry in the locker room.
It's worth mentioning that the Patriots did make a few minor additions to the practice squad and the active roster in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline by scouring other teams' rosters. In doing so, New England signed safeties John Saunders Jr. and Richie Grant, linebacker Caleb Murphy, running back D'Ernest Johnson, and wide receiver Brenden Rice.
Over the last handful of years, the Patriots have struggled to draft players that they can turn into homegrown, long-term options. From 2022 to 24, New England has drafted 30 players, but there are only nine of them remaining on the team in 2025, and only one player remaining from their 2022 draft class in all (Marcus Jones).
That said, Vrabel and his staff need to reset and rebuild the roster, and the best way to do that is through the draft. As it stands, the Patriots have 11 draft picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and there's plenty of time to add more between now and April.
Although a rebuild cannot be done in one year, the Patriots took a massive step in the right direction this season and are in a great position to continue building a sustainable and successful team.