The New England Patriots are two wins away from a return to the Super Bowl, and standing in their path this weekend: the upstart Houston Texans. With a ticket to the AFC Championship on the line, every move matters-and the Patriots just made one that could quietly pay dividends.
On Tuesday, New England added veteran wide receiver Trent Sherfield Sr. to the practice squad. It’s a depth move, sure, but one that brings a seasoned, playoff-tested presence into the building at a critical time.
Sherfield’s not new to the league-far from it. He’s logged eight years in the NFL, bouncing around the league and carving out a role as a reliable, if under-the-radar, option in multiple offenses.
This season alone, Sherfield has suited up for both the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals. He started the year in Denver, appearing in 10 games and starting three.
His numbers weren’t eye-popping-three catches for 21 yards-but his value has never been purely statistical. He’s known for doing the little things right: blocking downfield, understanding route concepts, and being in the right place when called upon.
After his stint in Denver ended in November, the Cardinals brought him in for a two-game stretch in December. Now, he finds himself in Foxborough, where his experience could come in handy if injuries hit the Patriots’ receiving corps.
Over the course of his career, Sherfield has played in 124 games, starting 14 of them. He’s hauled in 89 catches for 1,034 yards and six touchdowns. His best season came in 2022 with the Miami Dolphins, when he posted 30 receptions for 417 yards-solid production in a complementary role behind stars like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
If Sherfield is elevated to the active roster, the Patriots would become the third AFC East team he’s suited up for, having previously spent time with both the Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. He’s also seen action in seven playoff games-valuable postseason experience that’s not easy to find on a practice squad.
Sherfield’s NFL journey has taken him across six franchises: the Cardinals (where he first signed as an undrafted free agent), the Broncos, Dolphins, Bills, Vikings, and 49ers. That kind of résumé tells you two things: he knows how to adapt, and teams keep finding reasons to bring him in.
For New England, this isn’t a headline-grabbing move-but it’s the kind of savvy addition that could matter in January. Whether Sherfield sees the field or not, he adds another layer of depth, leadership, and readiness to a Patriots team that’s two wins from the promised land.