With the trade deadline closing in, the Patriots are being pushed toward the same question every contender asks this time of year: do they spend real draft capital to fix a problem now, or do they stand pat and live with what they’ve got?
For New England, the need is obvious. The roster could use more pass-rush help, but limited cap space and a pile of injuries make a major move tough to pull off.
That’s why Maxx Crosby had become such an obvious dream target. He would fit the need, and rumors earlier this year suggested Mike Vrabel and Co. had at least kicked the tires before Crosby was traded to the Ravens and then returned to the Raiders.
But the latest reporting makes that path look even less realistic. Adam Schefter has reported that Las Vegas is not actively shopping its star pass rusher, which is a big blow to any Patriots hopes of landing him before the deadline.
That doesn’t mean New England is out of options. It just means Crosby is probably off the board.
The Patriots still have a defensive line that can create pressure without finishing the job, and Harold Landry’s future remains cloudy after Vrabel has offered only a few updates on his status or whether he will play this season. So if New England wants to sharpen the defense, the front office will have to look elsewhere before November 10.
The most obvious fallback names are both in Los Angeles: Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. The Chargers entered Week 8 without a win, which puts them in a position where adding draft picks could matter more than holding onto veterans. That could make either player available at a more manageable price.
A mid-round pick might be enough to get a deal done for either one, and both would give the Patriots an immediate boost. Tuipulotu has 26 combined tackles, 2 for a loss, 9 quarterback hits, an interception, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 2 sacks. Mack has 19 combined tackles, 5 for a loss, 6 quarterback hits, and 3 sacks.
Mack has been the better finisher off the edge, but Tuipulotu’s overall production stands out more, especially given his age. Either way, both would come at a far friendlier cost than Crosby.
Josh Sweat is another name worth keeping on the radar. The Patriots have been linked to him since the offseason, and while he has only 2 sacks this season, he had 12 in 2025. If New England believes that version of Sweat can show up again, he’s a realistic option.
There are also other pass rushers who could fit the price range, including YaYa Diaby, Will McDonald IV, and Nolan Smith. The Patriots may still decide to do nothing, but if they think this team can compete, the pass-rush market is where they need to be looking.
In Other News...
Patriots Suddenly Have A Tight End Problem They Can't Ignore
The Patriots tight end room suddenly looks a lot thinner after Hunter Henry went down with a foot injury in the Dolphins game and was ruled out after trying to shake it off. For a team already trying to piece together answers on offense, losing one of its most reliable pass-catching options has a way of exposing just how fragile the depth chart really is.
With the November 10 trade deadline approaching, New England may have to decide whether this is a short-term hiccup or a problem worth solving externally. One name that naturally fits the conversation is Dallas Goedert, a proven veteran who could help stabilize the position if the Patriots choose to be aggressive, but for now the bigger question is whether the front office believes the current roster can hold up long enough to avoid making that kind of move. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Kicking Situation Just Got More Uncomfortable For Andy Borregales
Andy Borregales latest miss came at a time when every kick feels a little heavier. In the second quarter against the Dolphins, the Patriots rookie sent a 40-yard field goal attempt wide, adding another uneasy moment to a season that has already featured more than a few for the young kicker. Through eight games, Borregales has hit 10 of 13 attempts, a mark that leaves the Patriots with a kicking operation that has been productive enough to survive, but not steady enough to feel settled.
Mike Vrabel still voiced confidence in Borregales afterward, which matters because the Patriots are trying to manage several moving parts at once, including injury updates and possible returns elsewhere on the roster. Even so, the kicking spot remains one of the more uncomfortable questions around the team right now, and the next stretch of games will go a long way toward showing whether Borregales can quiet the noise or keep inviting it. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Survive Officiating Mess Against Miami, But NFL Still Owes Answers
The Patriots left Miami with a win, but the conversation afterward was about the officiating as much as the result. A touchdown by Kyle Williams was first ruled incomplete before Mike Vrabel won the challenge, and the sequence only added to the sense that this game was handled unevenly from the start. The league had already made a last-minute switch in the officiating assignment, a rare wrinkle that raised eyebrows before kickoff.
What has kept the issue alive is the lack of a real explanation from the NFL. The crew change was reportedly tied to poor work in another game, yet the league has not clearly addressed why that swap was made or why several of the calls in this matchup became so contentious. For New England, the points still counted and the victory still stands, but the questions around how the game was managed are not going away soon. [Read more 🡒]