The New England Patriots are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and head into Week 9 on a five-game win streak. The trade deadline is also quickly approaching, and the Patriots are reportedly looking to build on their success and make some additions to the roster.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini released an article on Saturday discussing what she's hearing around the league as trade rumor season hits a boiling point. One of the nuggets she reported on included New England and the Patriots' desire to find help along the defensive line.
Russini wrote, "The Patriots are searching for a pass rusher but feel good about their offensive weapons."
Later on in the piece, she revealed the Tennessee Titans are going to be sellers and named a couple of players, including an edge who has ties with Mike Vrabel.
"The players the Titans are fielding the most calls on: DE Arden Key, LB Dre’Mont Jones, RB Tony Pollard and DT T’Vondre Sweat." It's not shocking that the Titans, who are 1-7 and fired their head coach, will be sellers at the deadline. And with the Patriots looking for more help along the edge, they should really consider trading for Key.
Patriots Should Look into Trading for Arden Key
Key is in the final year of his three-year, $21 million deal with Tennessee. He first inked that deal back in 2023, which was Vrabel's last year with the Titans. There's clearly history between the two, and with New England itching to get better there, Key could be a nice addition.
He has a connection with the head coach and is on an expiring deal. It wouldn't cost more than a fifth or sixth-round pick to get the deal done and would give this defense another veteran force off the edge. In five games for Tennessee in 2025, he has six total tackles, 1.5 sacks, four QB hits, and nine pressures.
Over the course of his eight-year career, Key has compiled 176 total tackles, 34 TFLs, 89 QB hits, and 28 sacks. While he's never gone over 6.5 sacks in any season in his career, Key would be a low-cost addition that would give New England another pass-rusher.
Although it'll be a rental for the second half of the season, there's room in the edge room after they traded Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers. It'll be something to watch for New England in the coming days, but they may have an ideal edge rusher on the block.