So the NFL trade deadline came and went, and the Patriots didn't make a move.
No cornerback (bleh, Felger).
No receiver.
No offensive tackle.
No running back.
No defensive end.
No slot receiver (sigh, a man can dream).
The 2021 Patriots stood pat. This is, largely, the team they will finish the season with. Basically, Bill Belichick channeled his inner Norman Dale.
The essential question is, why? Why didn't the Patriots add anything to this team that has now climbed to 4-4 in a wide-open AFC?
Well, as usual, it's complicated and multi-layered. Let's go through some essential questions, including:
What's the biggest reason why the Patriots didn't acquire anyone?
They traded Stephon Gilmore and lost Jonathan Jones for the year ... they don't need more at cornerback?
What about receiver ... they needed another weapon, right?
What about running back and tackle ... they've lost guys there, couldn't they use more?
What are the other factors? To stand pat, Belichick must really like and believe in this team, right?
Here we go...
What's the biggest reason why the Patriots didn't acquire anyone?
Basically, cap space. The Patriots only have $2.53 million left, according to a report from Albert Breer, and they'll need at least that much to finish the season with the current roster, let alone if more players need to be replaced after going on injured reserve. The Patriots also don't have a ton of ways to create more, and if they did do something, you're kicking the can down the road and they already had a huge cash expenditure this season in free agency.
You could say the other team could eat most of the contract remaining for an increase in draft-pick compensation — or maybe a player (salary) swap — but that would mean the other team would have to have the cap space, and only eight teams in the league have over $10 million in cap space (that they probably want to roll over to next year to actually be able to afford roster additions).
They traded Stephon Gilmore and lost Jonathan Jones for the year ... they don't need more at cornerback?
They probably do or, at least, will. But the Patriots knew this was a possibility when they traded Gilmore for a 2023 sixth-round pick (a pick two years down the road is basically nothing), and they still did it.
Basically, they knew they would have to live with their decision, and they have.
Myles Bryant was next up off the practice squad and he's a good player. D'Angelo Ross has been in the system and would be the next guy up.
Remember, the Patriots already traded for Shaun Wade — he was the Gilmore insurance/body. They also signed Brian Poole to the practice squad.
That would leave the CB depth chart as:
Boundary
JC Jackson
Jalen Mills
Joejuan Williams
Shaun Wade
Brian Poole
Slot
Myles Bryant
D'Angelo Ross
Wade
That's it. That's all you get. Patriots knew this, and they stood pat.
What about receiver ... they needed another weapon, right?
No. The Patriots have sustained no injuries at receiver or tight end. They had a plan in the offseason, and it was WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, and tight end Jonnu Smith. When Hunter Henry wasn't immediately snatched up as a free agent, the Patriots pounced and decided to spend most of their petty cash to give Henry the same $12.5-million contract that Smith got. They were all in on 12 personnel, which decreased the need for receivers.
If the Patriots did add another boundary receiver — I wanted a quick slot, which they don't have — then you are basically willing to, a) discard the progress the offense has made with a rookie QB in the short term for, perhaps, a bigger return in the end, b) displacing players that have been here since June working to get better.
If you bring in a DeSean Jackson (who is now on waivers and would be more of interest as a free agent) or Odell Beckham, that now displaces Agholor. Where does he go, the other side? What about Bourne? Meyers? N'Keal Harry?
This isn't fantasy football. Any new receiver would need weeks to really get up to speed, and in the interim, you're screwing up the progress the offense has already made.
Patriots wisely stayed the course.
What about running back and tackle ... they've lost guys there, couldn't they use more?
No. The Patriots already have one talented running back who has been in the system inactive every week (either JJ Taylor or Rhamondre Stevenson), now you're going to add another to the mix? Would two then be inactive?
And the Patriots have tackles by the bushel: Isaiah Wynn, Mike Onwenu, Trent Brown (IR), Justin Herron, Yasir Durant, Yodny Cajuste. Again, the Patriots knew injuries could be an issue and they have six tackles — only two play at a time. Why keep them on the roster if you're not comfortable playing them at some point?
What are the other factors? To stand pat, Belichick must really like and believe in this team, right?
I'm sure he likes this team and think there's potential for more improvement (a well-oiled team would have won Sunday by multiple scores), and we should see that down the road.
But do you really think the Patriots believe they are Super Bowl contenders? You do realize that no rookie QB has ever led a team to the Super Bowl, right? Never say never, but that would be a tough, tough chore for this group.
I think the Patriots would have done something if they thought this team needed more to make a playoff push. After last season and spending all that money in the offseason, they need to do that. They do not, however, need more personnel to do that. A team that is largely new, especially on offense, just needs more time together. The best weapon for the Patriots right now is continuity. They need to stick with that. And, wisely, they did.
The Patriots just need to look to finish strong, have a good showing in the playoffs, and get ready for everyone to come back in Year 2. This team still has serious flaws, and wins over the Jets, Texans and a Chargers team that very well might not make the playoffs, didn't hide that from the coaches and Patriots front office. They know what they have. As opposed to the outside world, they are realists inside One Patriot Place. They have to be, it's their jobs.
And they know this team needs time, not bodies.
Be patient. These things take time.