The New England Patriots have upped their 2025 season record to 6-2 and sit alone atop the AFC East standings. They're in the thick of the playoff hunt, and for once, the Patriots need to be aggressive before the November 4 trade deadline. The top guy they should target is Bengals' edge, Trey Hendrickson. Their pass rush needs a boost, and if he's healthy, Hendrickson will provide it.
What a difference a year makes. A pro's pro, Mike Vrabel, was hired by owner Robert Kraft to run the football operation, and everything has changed. Vrabel knew he had the key ingredient in his precocious second-year quarterback, Drake Maye, and he just had to fill in the other pieces.
He conducted a massive roster overhaul in the offseason, and it worked. He rebuilt his offensive line, bolstered the wide receiving corps, and also added better players to each level of the defense. Now, it's time for the Patriots to go all-in, throw all their chips into the middle of the table, and make the trade deadline deals to go for it all. The first name on their list should be Hendrickson's.
The Patriots should go for it all at the trade deadline
The new Head Coach had said his objective was to de-throne the Buffalo Bills from atop the AFC East. Almost no one assumed he'd contend with Buffalo in his first season. Yet, that's exactly what he's doing after just one offseason, and importantly, his team hasn't even fully hit its stride.
After almost half a season, the Patriots are in a position to not only make the playoffs but to host a playoff game if they can keep atop the AFC East. It's a tall order, but a couple of astute moves before the trade deadline could get them over the top. There is no season but the present one.
All the rest are illusions. They should be super aggressive and go for it all - now.
A leading target continues to be Hendrickson, and although he reaggrivated a hip injury last week, it might not be serious. If so, it's great news.
#Bengals star DE Trey Hendrickson re-aggravated his hip injury today vs. the #Jets, though the team believes it’s not significant, per sources.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 26, 2025
Some within the organization felt the hit that caused the injury was a cheap shot. This is the video:
pic.twitter.com/lpwLyNffwA
The Bengals are 2-6 and likely looking ahead to 2026. Hendrickson wants a big-money extension, and the Patriots can accommodate him. For the Bengals, it's a sensible move. The Patriots, however, are in the opposite situation. They have a chance to do something remarkable this season, and making the playoffs is just the beginning of what they might accomplish.
It's Hendrickson and one or two others to propel the Patriots deep into the playoffs
Pass rushers are difference-makers. Pressures and hits are OK, but sacks are game-changers, and Hendrickson gets them in bunches. The past two seasons, he racked up a monster total of 35. This season, he's been dinged up and only has four, but if he checks out physically, he's still worth a big investment at age 30.
Sacks stall drives, take a team out of field goal range, and bring all types of positives to a defense. Hendrickson delivers them, and the Patriots should pay the freight to get him.
In addition, the team can use a running back. With Antonio Gibson on the shelf for the season and fumbling Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson underperforming, a solid addition makes sense. This is especially true after Henderson, a usually sure-handed back, coughed up the football against the Browns and almost certainly cost the team a touchdown.
A third addition should be a guard. Rookie left guard Jared Wilson has had his ups and downs. His long-term future is at the center, and he can still back up both positions. They need to shore up the left side next to rookie left tackle Will Campbell. The Patriots should trade for a top younger veteran guard, and it shouldn't take more than a mid-round pick to get one.
The Patriots quarterback Drake Maye can win it all. It's incumbent on Vrabel to fill in the roster at the trade deadline to give Maye and the team a chance to shock the NFL as they did in 2001. They can even include veterans like Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings, Marte Mapu, and even Stevenson and others if they can find takers for them in their deals.
And as for including even a first-rounder and/or other high draft picks in these deals, one thing is absolutely certain. No 2026 or 2027 draft pick will do a thing to help the 2025 New England Patriots win the AFC East Division, the AFC, or the Lombardi Trophy. For the 2025 New England Patriots, the future is now, and they should act accordingly at the trade deadline.