The New England Patriots are heading to Denver this weekend to take on the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High - and there's a familiar face making the trip, though he may not see the field.
Wide receiver Trent Sherfield, who spent the first part of the season with the Broncos, is now part of the Patriots’ practice squad. While he's not currently on New England’s active roster, his presence this week carries some added intrigue.
Let’s rewind for a second. Sherfield signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Denver last spring, brought in with hopes he could contribute both on special teams and as a depth piece in the receiving corps.
But things never quite clicked. Through 10 games, he managed just three catches for 21 yards and didn’t make the kind of impact the Broncos were looking for.
With Lil'Jordan Humphrey returning to the lineup, Denver made the call to release Sherfield two months ago.
Four days after being cut, Sherfield landed on the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. That stint was short-lived - his contract there expired earlier this month, and the Patriots quickly scooped him up, adding him to their own practice squad just days before they even knew they'd be facing Denver in the AFC Championship Game.
Now, Sherfield’s role is less about catching passes and more about lending insight. Even if he doesn’t get elevated to the game-day roster, his knowledge of Denver’s system, personnel, and tendencies could be valuable in the Patriots’ preparation. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes contribution that doesn’t show up in the box score but can make a difference during the week.
Whether or not Sherfield suits up on Sunday, his journey this season - from Denver to Arizona to New England - has come full circle. And while his on-field impact with the Broncos was limited, his presence in the Patriots’ locker room this week could quietly influence how New England approaches one of the biggest games of its season.