The New England Patriots are far from a perfect team. They might look like a playoff contender at the moment, but the jury is still out. One impressive win on the ledger doesn’t thrust you into the conversation.
Though the defense is starting to come together and the offense is doing just enough to keep them in games against superior opponents (for the most part), there’s no question the Pats could’ve used an infusion of talent on either side of the ball ahead of the Nov. 2 trade deadline.
But for some reason, Bill Belichick and Co. stood pat … as did almost the entire rest of the NFL?
There were only a handful of deals made and only one of them caught your attention. Even guys that were supposed to be traded — Marlon Mack, DeSean Jackson — stayed put.
Was this the worst deadline in history? How many teams could’ve sold? To name a few, the Falcons, Giants, Washington Football Team, Lions, Dolphins, Texans and Jaguars are all pretty much out of the playoff picture and none of those teams were able to strike blockbuster-esque deals.
Why didn’t the Patriots give all of those teams a call? Or did they? But still, how did nothing get done?
Here are three missed opportunities by the Patriots at the trade deadline
3. Reunion With Brandin Cooks
With Kendrick Bourne in the dog house, N’Keal Harry still not good, Nelson Agholor certainly not doing “enough,” and Jonnu Smith looking like a massive free agent bust, how did the Pats not go out and get quarterback Mac Jones some more help in the receiving game?
The Texans shipped running back Mark Ingram to the Saints last week, which made it clear they were willing to part with more assets. Was Brandin Cooks not available? He can’t be happy in Houston, right? Why wouldn’t the Patriots seek a reunion with the wideout who spent a successful campaign in New England?
The Pats don’t exactly have receivers that can stretch the field. Cooks absolutely can, and he’s on pace for over 1,200 receiving yards this year. He’s still just 28 years old and his contract really isn’t all that bad. Acquiring Cooks almost would’ve forced Josh McDaniels to let Jones take more shots down the field.
Maybe the asking price was too steep? Then again, a number of former Patriots execs are now working for the Texans. Belichick couldn’t level with them and swing an agreement that worked for both sides?
2. Call Giants About Matt Peart
During the 2020 NFL Draft, Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart was on the Patriots’ radar, but the New York Giants swiped him in the third round (99th pick). New England waited too long.
Before Week 5, Peart had played in just 19 snaps this season. Last year, he appeared in only 11 games and saw 22% of the snaps. He’s taken on a bigger role since left tackle Andrew Thomas hit injured reserve with multiple injuries.
Long story short, Thomas should be back relatively soon, the Giants lost another game and won’t be going to the playoffs this year, and the Patriots need help on both ends of the offensive line. Isaiah Wynn isn’t exactly what you’d call a franchise left tackle and Trent Brown has played just seven snaps in 2021.
Perhaps the Patriots like their new OL alignment with Wynn at left tackle, Ted Karras at LG, David Andrews at center, Shaq Mason at RG, and Michael Onwenu at right tackle. But is this the long-term plan? Poaching a guy like Peart, who is being underutilized on a bad Giants team, would’ve at least been worth a call given how he can help the Pats in 2021 and beyond.
He could start at either tackle position, and you know how much Belichick values versatility. Maybe the Giants didn’t want to get rid of him, but it’s not like they’ve convinced us of that with the way they’ve used him over his first two seasons.
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 …
3 worst trades in New England Patriots franchise history
These 3 awful trades will go down in infamy as the worst in the long history of the New England Patriots. Which flubs made the cut?