Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, and the Patriots chose not to make any moves to improve their roster before their opportunities became much more limited, there are a lot of questions about what this team can do and whether they can remain, or arguably become, competitive down the stretch.
Because they have dealt with so many injuries this season, and there's still half the year to go, it was widely assumed they would be buyers at the deadline, linking them to some of the top names on the trade block.
Instead, they watched other AFC teams improve, proving they're hoping that once some of their most valuable players return from injury, they'll be back in the mix sooner rather than later.
There's a chance that happens, and that makes a few players on the current roster the biggest winners of a lackluster trade deadline, while others are losers because of it.
3 winners and 3 losers from the Patriots unexciting trade deadline decisions
Winner: WR DeMario Douglas
Plenty of rumors linked the Patriots to several wide receivers likely to be traded, most notably Drake Maye's former UNC teammate Josh Downs, which would've immediately put a player like DeMario Douglas on the back burner.
Because Downs plays a similar style and role on the offense, there was a good chance that if Downs were acquired, he would leapfrog Douglas on the depth chart and take over the snaps he's been getting in recent weeks, particularly in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs' absence.
But his performance over the past month appears to have been impressive enough for the Patriots' front office to feel comfortable not pursuing Downs, regardless of whether they actually inquired or were seriously interested in him at all.
And that means Douglas will continue his momentum this week against the Lions, with Brown expected to remain sidelined and Mack Hollins not making as much an impact as expected in his return last week.
Loser: QB Drake Maye
Unfortunately, it isn't only the lack of urgency from the front office to address the depleted offense that makes Drake Maye the biggest loser at the trade deadline. He is arguably the biggest loser of the 2026 season, given how much pressure is on him to literally and figuratively carry the Patriots' offense.
Because the roster has dealt with countless injuries, with the offense being hit the worst, the quarterback has been expected to be the reason the team has a chance to win every Sunday, and when he doesn't do well, his teammates fail to help.
That was the case again last week against the Packers, as the Patriots lost 45-27 and lost more players in the process, including running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
That means Maye will have even more backups to work with against the Lions on Sunday, instead of new weapons acquired ahead of the trade deadline.
Winner: DT Christian Barmore
As one of the leading players discussed as a potential trade candidate in the weeks leading to the deadline, Christian Barmore sure looks like a winner to still be with the team rather than be shipped somewhere else and forced to start over.
The idea that Eliot Wolf and Co. were even considering trading the 27-year-old didn't make much sense, as he is having one of the better seasons of his career this year.
On top of that, the defense is struggling as it is, so unless they were planning to trade Barmore and receive a playmaker in return, there was no reason to even consider a trade.
Luckily, whether it was by their own doing or a lack of interest across the league, Barmore remains on the roster heading into Week 10. Hopefully, he can use the rumors as motivation and further prove he deserves a spot on this team and should stick around for a while.
Loser: Head coach Mike Vrabel
Although he likely has a bit more say about what the roster looks like and what they do or don't do in free agency, the draft, and ahead of the trade deadline, Mike Vrabel can't be feeling all that great about the Patriots' chances for the rest of the season.
It might be too early to rule them out, as they do currently hold the 7th seed in the AFC Playoffs going into Week 10, but not making any upgrade to the beaten-up roster doesn't provide much optimism about their chances in the second half of the season.
That's even more true, seeing how teams like the Bills, Chiefs, and Jaguars made big moves to improve their rosters, and the Patriots have to face two of those teams over the next 8 weeks.
Winner: RB Corey Kiner
Just like the chatter about a potential wide receiver addition, there were many rumors about the Patriots' interest in adding a running back, especially after Rhamondre Stevenson suffered a knee injury that will reportedly keep him sidelined for a few games.
Couple that with TreVeyon Henderson dealing with a medical situation, and the Patriots' backfield has been completely wiped out, giving backup Corey Kiner the keys in their next matchup against the Lions in Week 10.
It's a big opportunity for the 24-year-old, who hasn't been given any opportunities thus far to be a starter in the NFL, yet he's already recorded 50 carries for 244 yards and a touchdown for the Patriots this season.
He will be Maye's top backfield option until Henderson and/or Stevenson are able to return, so his performance next Sunday could ultimately dictate whether the Patriots look at free agent running backs for help or if they feel comfortable with Kiner remaining in that role as long as it's needed.
Loser: Patriots fans
Patriots fans couldn't help but take to social media over the past few weeks to voice their strongest desires for who they wanted the team to trade for before this year's deadline.
Some were real possibilities, like RB Tony Pollard or WR Joshua Downs, while others were certainly more of a dream scenario, like RB Jonathan Taylor. But no matter who they were hoping for, it was clear the team needed to make a move to set them up for success for the rest of the season, and seeing them not do that is disappointing.
Given how many injuries the team has dealt with, it felt like they'd have to make a big trade to remain competitive, especially when AFC powerhouses like the Jaguars went all-in before the deadline to put their team over the top and massively increase their Super Bowl chances.
Instead, the Patriots sat on the sideline and watched several conference contenders improve, and fans are not exactly thrilled with that decision.
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