Patriots: 3 huge missed opportunities at trade deadline
1. Trading for Von Miller Before the Rams Could
What’s a trade deadline without talking about what aging veteran could flourish in Belichick’s defense?
OK, we get that this isn’t exactly a glaring need at the moment because of how good Matt Judon has been … but imagine Von Miller attacking offenses from the left side while Judon does his thing from the right?
The price was steep — a 2022 second-rounder and 2022 third-rounder — and Belichick isn’t going to part ways with those kinds of assets for a rental … but doesn’t Miller seem like a guy who would be happy to re-up with a team like the Patriots? Stout defense every year. Well-coached. Young QB making massive strides.
Maybe this is unrealistic for more ways than one. We get it. But can’t we try and live a little? Miller, at 32, still has plenty of good football left. The Patriots needed acquisitions for both now and 2022/beyond. An overpay for one year of Miller hardly makes sense. But paying that price, extending him, and boasting a potential league-best pass rush for the next 2-3 years?
That may have been worth it! Plus, the Patriots could’ve alleviated the draft capital aspect of the trade by dangling guys like Chase Winovich and/or Josh Uche? That may have interested the Broncos as a means to supplementing their pass rush with younger talent.
Who knows. But it’s fun to imagine the fit. Maybe he’s in Foxborough next year by means of free agency …
