When Mike Vrabel and the new leadership group took the reins in New England this past offseason, it was clear from the jump: nothing was off-limits. The Patriots were entering a new era, and that meant tough decisions - including parting ways with familiar faces from the dynasty years and reshaping the roster in Vrabel’s image.
The goal? Rebuild the foundation and return to relevance.
That also meant some players - even those who had recently inked new deals - were suddenly on the trading block. Kyle Dugger was shipped to Pittsburgh. Anfernee Jennings, another name floated in trade talks, stayed put past the deadline, but not without knowing full well he was on the bubble.
And yet, instead of letting the uncertainty affect his play, Jennings responded the only way a football player can: by showing up and showing out. Last week against the Ravens, in a game that quickly turned into a war of attrition on the defensive front, Jennings stepped into an unfamiliar role - and delivered.
With Milton Williams already sidelined and both Joshua Farmer and Khyiris Tonga going down during the game, the Patriots were dangerously thin up front. That’s when Jennings - an outside linebacker by trade - was asked to slide down to the defensive line. Not exactly a small ask, especially against a Ravens offense that thrives on physicality and misdirection.
But Jennings didn’t just survive - he made a real impact. His sack on Tyler Huntley, which forced a 3rd-and-18 and helped halt a Baltimore drive, was one of the few bright spots on a tough day. And it clearly didn’t go unnoticed by the man in charge.
“We lost a lot of defensive linemen,” Vrabel said postgame. “To have a guy like Anfernee Jennings - I give him a lot of credit going in there and playing defensive line and helping us out. I appreciate what he did and everybody else that was able to step in.”
That kind of shoutout from Vrabel carries weight. And for Jennings, it could be the start of a shift in how he’s viewed inside the building.
The Alabama product has always been known for his toughness and work ethic, but this season has tested his resolve in a different way. Trade rumors swirling, a front office seemingly ready to move on - it would’ve been easy to check out. Instead, Jennings doubled down on his commitment to the team.
“I always have the next man up mentality,” Jennings told reporters after the game. “We’re working our ass off in practice, so I gained the confidence in practice to go out in the game and execute.
Wherever they put me, that’s my job. I don’t take that lightly, so I was ready to go.”
That mindset is exactly what Vrabel is trying to instill in this revamped Patriots locker room. He’s building a culture that values accountability, toughness, and a willingness to do the dirty work - and Jennings is starting to look like a guy who fits that mold.
Yes, he’s under contract through 2026, but contracts don’t always guarantee a future - especially when a player’s name has already been dangled in trade talks. What Jennings is doing now, though, is giving Vrabel and the staff a reason to reconsider. He’s proving he belongs, not just as a depth piece, but as a core contributor who can be counted on in a pinch.
The next few weeks will be important. Jennings has a real shot to solidify his spot on this roster heading into next season. If he keeps playing with this level of effort and versatility, he may just flip the narrative from trade bait to building block.
In New England, culture matters. And right now, Anfernee Jennings is showing he wants to be part of the one Vrabel is building.