The New England Patriots missed out on EDGE rusher Jaelan Phillips, watching the Philadelphia Eagles strike a deal with the Pats' AFC East rival, the Miami Dolphins, instead. Miami landed a 2026 third-round pick from Philadelphia for Phillips on Monday morning.
No matter, though. New England has the perfect pivot, who's on a team they've already done business with this season: New Orleans Saints EDGE Carl Granderson. The Patriots traded wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 sixth-round pick back in September. We know Eliot Wolf and Mickey Loomis have each other's numbers, and these teams are going in opposite directions.
After a 34-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday dropped the Saints' record to 1-8, it became obvious that New Orleans is the worst team in the league. Not just record-wise, but directionally as a franchise. Tyler Shough is showing little to be excited about, after Spencer Rattler continued to show he's not a franchise QB option. Alvin Kamara is not an elite back any longer, at least with the Saints' personnel. Brandon Staley's impact on the defense has been positive, but there's no reason to win too many games down the stretch. Taking away one of his top pass-rushers would be a good way to avoid NFL purgatory.
Meanwhile, the Patriots could now pay less to a team that's far behind where the Dolphins are. Miami might be able to convince itself it's not far off, but New Orleans' front office most certainly couldn't. The price might naturally be lower for Granderson than for Phillips.
Patriots Suddenly in Position to Go All-In on Playoff Push
2025 has seen the rebuilding timeline expedited in Foxborough. The Patriots are built to win right now. With a franchise quarterback in place, a defensive-minded head coach who's working out for the city he made his name playing for, and a talented mix of veterans and youth on both sides of the ball, there is reason for optimism in New England.
Now is the time for them to go all in. Missing out on Phillips is one thing, and to be fair, Vic Fangio was putting pressure on Howie Roseman to get a deal like that done, but there are plenty more options available for the taking by Tuesday afternoon's deadline.
Whether it be Granderson or someone else from a rebuilding team, New England needs to find the right seller and be the right buyer.