Are the New England Patriots Secretly Scouting a Game-Changing Running Back Trade?
Imagine this: A team that's surging back to the top of the AFC East after years of rebuilding, but their ground game is sputtering like an engine in need of a tune-up. That's the Patriots we're talking about here, and it's sparking some serious buzz in NFL circles. But here's where it gets controversial—could they be eyeing the trade deadline to bring in a fresh face to fix their rushing woes?
Back in the offseason, fans were buzzing with excitement about the Patriots' rushing attack. The second-round rookie TreVeyon Henderson looked like a steal, dazzling everyone during training camp and preseason with his speed and elusiveness. Fast-forward to now, though, and the picture isn't quite as rosy. The Pats are off to a promising 4-2 start, reclaiming the AFC East lead for the first time since December 2021, even holding a head-to-head tiebreaker over the rival Bills. Yet, beneath that winning record, their rushing offense is ranking a dismal 26th in the league, making life tougher for rookie quarterback Drake Maye as he builds on a strong sophomore campaign.
To put it simply for newcomers to football analysis, the running game is the backbone of any team's offense—it's about pounding the ball on the ground to control the clock, tire out the defense, and set up play-action passes. But New England's duo of Henderson and veteran Rhamondre Stevenson hasn't been clicking as hoped. Stevenson, in particular, is battling fumbling issues for the second straight year, which has been a frustrating hurdle. Even so, the coaching staff hasn't benched him like last season; instead, he rebounded from another costly fumble to score twice in their thrilling upset over the Bills. As of now, Stevenson leads the team with 157 rushing yards, closely trailed by Henderson's 148 yards, with them sharing the carries at 51 and 41 attempts respectively. Their yards per carry? A modest 3.1 for Stevenson and 3.6 for Henderson—not exactly eye-popping numbers that scream efficiency.
Digging deeper into the stats, tools like Next Gen Stats reveal that both players are in the bottom quartile for rush yards over expected, meaning they're not gaining as many yards as predictive models would anticipate based on their opportunities. This isn't just a player issue, either—Pro Football Focus rates New England's offensive line as only ninth-best through the first six games, which could explain why their backs aren't breaking through as explosively. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the struggles, there's growing chatter that the Patriots might be open to shaking things up before the trade deadline. ESPN's insider Jeremy Fowler has hinted that several teams, including New England, are actively exploring running back options, with the buyer's market potentially offering some steals.
Adding to the drama, the Pats recently lost depth player Antonio Gibson to a season-ending ACL tear during their win in Buffalo, which puts even more pressure on the current duo to carry the load. Gibson was a reliable backup, so his absence is a noticeable blow.
Now, let's talk potential targets—who might the Patriots consider? One name floating around is Breece Hall of the Jets, often touted as a top trade chip. But trading him within the AFC East seems highly improbable, as both teams would likely avoid strengthening a divisional rival. Then there's Alvin Kamara of the Saints, a superstar talent, but he's made it clear he'd think about retirement if forced out of New Orleans—a stance that's understandable given his loyalty after signing extensions with the rebuilding team. His current two-year deal worth $24.5 million runs through 2026, with no guaranteed money left after this year. Plus, the Saints have promising young backup Kendre Miller ready to step up if Kamara departs.
Shifting gears, the Titans could be open to moving their starter, Tony Pollard, as they navigate a rebuild under new coach Brian Callahan. Tennessee has been flagged as a team prepared to sell assets, which might make Pollard an intriguing option for a contender like the Pats. Meanwhile, over in Cleveland, Browns insider Dan Graziano predicts they could deal Jerome Ford, especially with rookies Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson adding competition at the position. Ford's on a one-year, $1.75 million deal, but would he really be a major upgrade over New England's current setup? Probably not, especially since Stevenson's contract keeps him locked in through 2028 with a $3.25 million guarantee for 2026—making any trade more about depth and long-term planning.
It's not just the Patriots stirring the pot, though. The Chargers and Chiefs are also rumored to be in the running back market, adding to the competition and potentially driving up prices. But here's a controversial twist: Some fans argue that clinging to young talents like Henderson and Stevenson is the smart, patient move for a rebuilding team, while others say the Patriots, with their NFL-leading $54.7 million in cap space (according to OverTheCap), should strike now to avoid regrets. They have nearly three weeks before the November 4 deadline to evaluate and decide, giving them time to weigh the risks.
So, what's your take? Do you think the Patriots should dive into the trade market for an immediate boost, or trust their current crew to turn things around? Is keeping faith in Stevenson despite his fumbles a mistake, or a sign of smart coaching? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate!
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NFL Trade Rumors: Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Jerome Ford
