The Patriots may not be done looking for help on defense, and the timing could make one more swing for a pass rusher awfully tempting.
With the NFL trade deadline drawing closer, New England has been connected to both receivers and edge rushers, but a move for a pass catcher looks less urgent now. A.J.
Brown is set to return as early as this week, and the Patriots had only four active receivers for last week’s game against the Raiders. That adds some cushion to a spot that looked thin just days ago.
The bigger question sits on the edge of the defense, where Harold Landry’s return remains up in the air. The longer his name stays out of the conversation, the less likely it seems that he’ll play at any point during the 2026 season. That leaves a real opening for New England if a veteran becomes available.
One name that fits the conversation is Khalil Mack. The 9-time Pro Bowler could be on his way to his fourth team, and the Patriots have obvious reasons to at least check in. They don’t have a proven sack artist on the roster right now, and if Mack hits the market, it makes sense for them to find out the price.
That said, the Patriots’ pass rush has held up better than expected through the first five games. Rookie Gabe Jacas has shown the kind of traits that point to a dominant future, and Elijah Ponder, an undrafted free agent added last offseason, has also emerged quickly. His play in 2026 has helped soften the loss of Landry.
Still, good early returns don’t erase the need for more help if the right deal comes along. Adding Mack would give New England another proven option, especially if the price is manageable.
He’s 35, which may not line up perfectly with Mike Vrabel’s preferred approach, but the production is still there. Mack has 15 combined tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks this season.
His overall numbers have dipped in recent years, but the Patriots wouldn’t need him to carry the load every snap. With Jacas and Ponder playing well, Mack could be used in a more selective role, which might squeeze more value out of what he has left.
Everything, of course, depends on what the Chargers want back. The expectation is that Mack’s age would keep the asking price down, and that’s exactly why he becomes such an interesting option for New England. If Landry can’t play this year, Mack could end up filling that hole.
In Other News...
A.J. Browns Return Looks Even Better For Patriots Fans
A.J. Brown has settled in quickly since arriving in New England, and the move is starting to look like one that fit the Patriots offense from the start. The veteran receiver has blended in well after the trade from Philadelphia before the 2026 season, giving this team a proven target and giving fans a fresh reason to feel good about a deal that already had plenty of attention around it.
Philadelphias side of the transaction has only made the conversation louder. The Eagles have been dealing with injuries, coaching questions, and a rough start that has kept the trade in the spotlight, while analysts continue to revisit what Browns departure means for both teams. For the Patriots, the bigger question now is how far this connection can go if his early comfort in the offense keeps building. [Read more 🡒]
Gronk Sees A Dangerous Patriots Team If They Survive This Stretch
The Patriots have spent the early part of the season juggling injuries at important spots, with cornerbacks and wide receivers among the players getting banged up, but the overall mood around the roster remains more hopeful than alarmed. Rob Gronkowski said he likes where things could be headed once the group gets healthier, noting that the team is expected to get a lift when those injured players make their way back.
Julian Edelman has offered a similar view, suggesting that the adversity in front of the Patriots right now could pay off later. The broader sense is that this stretch may be more about surviving the bumps than chasing perfection, and if the returns come when expected, New England could be in a much stronger place for the part of the schedule that really shapes a season. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Jets Matchup Features More Familiar Faces Than Fans Realize
An AFC East meeting between the Patriots and Jets is bringing a little extra familiarity to the sideline and the game plan. Both rosters include players who have already taken roundabout routes through New England and New York, a reminder of how often these division rivals have crossed paths in recent seasons and how many personnel ties still linger when they meet again.
Among the names with that shared history are Andrew Beck, Chukwuma Okorafor, Morgan Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Greg Van Roten, each of whom has spent time with both clubs in different stops along the way. For a game that already carries plenty of division weight, those connections add another layer of recognition, even if the more interesting part is which of those familiar faces ends up making the biggest impact when the ball is kicked off. [Read more 🡒]