Despite rumors of potentially acquiring a running back or edge rusher ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, the New England Patriots made no moves. The decision to stand pat has drawn criticism from fans, as rival Indianapolis Colts bolstered their roster by acquiring two-time Pro Bowl CB Sauce Gardner.
Although fans are disappointed they didn’t land a potential contributor, this outcome benefits running back Terrell Jennings. The Patriots displayed their trust and confidence in Jennings by not trading for a running back, solidifying his role as the team’s backup to Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
RB Terrell Jennings is Patriots’ Biggest Winner at Trade Deadline
Since running back Antonio Gibson went down with a torn ACL, Jennings has emerged as a valuable contributor. At this time last month, Jennings primarily served as the Patriots' fourth-string running back on the practice squad. But with running back Antonio Gibson suffering a season-ending injury in Week 5, they tasked Jennings with filling his void.
Although he received only a few snaps on offense, Jennings played well on special teams and has become a core contributor to the unit. In the last two games, Jennings has recorded two tackles, earning an 86.4 special teams grade via Pro Football Focus.
His stellar play on special teams has translated to offense, despite those limited snaps. Jennings made the most of his few touches in the team’s blowout wins against the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns, with seven total rushes for 33 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Jennings’ role on offense was expanded in the team’s victory against the Atlanta Falcons last week with Stevenson sidelined. He displayed his power-back ability with increased snaps, recording 11 carries for 35 yards and one touchdown.
The rusher’s great performance in the win solidified his standing as a backup to Stevenson and Henderson for the rest of the season. His efficiency on limited snaps has earned the respect of his peers, and the Patriots’ coaching staff is clearly impressed with the second year back.
With Jennings in the fold, the Patriots have a dependable option that they can rely on while Stevenson is sidelined. By not trading for another running back, New England is confident that Jennings is capable of helping contribute to its playoff push.
While the decision not to add another running back via trade is seen as risky due to their current backfield situation, this decision will benefit the Patriots down the road. Teams typically overspend at the deadline and take a huge risk adding a rental player into the mix mid-season. By not spending any of their draft assets, New England could take a big swing in the offseason to acquire a perennial player or use its picks to bolster their depth through the draft.