There was a lot of disappointment amongst New England Patriots fans as the 2025 NFL trade deadline came and went, with the team making no trades and instead signing free-agent wide receiver Brenden Rice. Many hoped, and reports even suggested, they would make a move for a pass rusher or a wide receiver, but chose to stand pat.
In some ways, it wasn't a bad decision, especially if you look at the players who were dealt and how they wouldn't have been a good fit for the Patriots. However, there wasn't much said about Mike Vrabel and Co.'s behind-the-scenes moves, leading many to believe they weren't doing much to improve their roster this season.
But that is far from the truth, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who name-dropped a specific player he knew the Patriots called about. And while that's good news for fans, it's not a name anyone had considered, and a deal wasn't done, so there's not much to get excited about.
It doesn't sound like the Patriots had many options to inquire about before the trade deadline
While appearing on NBC Sports Boston's "Early Edition" on Tuesday night, Breer spoke about the Patriots making "a call" to Seattle about the potential availability of linebacker Boye Mafe.
That was not a name mentioned by any insider in the days leading up to the deadline, but Mafe is an interesting prospect who could have boosted the Patriots' defensive line, even if his 2025 season is considered a down year.
The 26-year-old was a second-round draft pick by the Seahawks in 2022 and earned a prominent role on their defense from the start. He really came alive in 2023, recording 52 combined tackles, nine for a loss, 16 quarterback hits, nine sacks, six passes defended, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
But his performance decreased the following season, with the most prominent stat being just six sacks, and in 2025, he has yet to record a single one.
That certainly would be something concerning if the Patriots had traded for him, but it also makes it clear that their options, or, at the very least, what they were willing to give up for a player, weren't much, and that could explain their interest in a player who wouldn't exactly be game-changing.
It also highlights their awareness of the defense's weakness, and that is promising well ahead of the 2026 offseason. They will assuredly look for more assets for the defensive line, especially if those struggles continue the rest of the year, but hopefully, they will have better options to look at in free agency than they did before the trade deadline.