Titans LB is Realistic Trade Target the Patriots Need

Despite starting the season with an impressive 5-2 record, the New England Patriots need to improve in multiple areas before they can be considered legitimate playoff contenders. One area that they must upgrade is their pass rush. After posting a league-low 28 sacks last season, the Patriots revamped their pass rush in the offseason by signing Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, and K’Lavon Chaisson. 

Through seven games, the Patriots are tied ninth in sacks (18), and rank 19th in quarterback pressure percentage (19.5%). While they’ve gotten better at pressuring the quarterback, they could use more depth on the edge. With the Tennessee Titans in the midst of another rebuilding season, the Patriots should target linebacker Arden Key. 

The Patriots Should Target Linebacker Arden Key

Since he entered the league in 2018, Key has been a solid rotational pass-rusher. In his eight-year career, Key has combined for 28 sacks, 176 total tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles in 109 games for four different teams. 

Key, 29, spent his first five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars before signing a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. With the Titans, Key has played some of his best football. He’s coming off his most productive season, finishing with six and a half sacks, 42 total tackles, and 11 tackles for loss. 

However, this season has been challenging for Key, as a quad injury has sidelined him for the past two games. In five games, he’s recorded one and a half sacks and six total tackles. With the Titans 1-6 and heading towards missing the playoffs again, they’ll likely be sellers at the trade deadline. 

This is the perfect opportunity for the Patriots to reunite Key with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel. Key played one season under Vrabel in 2023, posting six sacks, 30 total tackles, and two forced fumbles. With Key set to hit free agency after this season, a fourth or fifth-round pick would likely be enough to acquire the eight-year veteran. 

 The Patriots have 10 picks in the 2026 draft, seven of which are day three picks, giving them flexibility to make a move. Besides Chaisson and Landry, the Patriots don’t have an edge rusher who can consistently generate pressure. 

Adding Key would provide the Patriots’ pass rush with crucial depth at edge rusher. Regardless, the Patriots must make a move at the deadline to have a deep postseason run.