There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the New England Patriots since before the season began about potential trade candidates and who they might want to trade for before the deadline came and went. As we saw, not one move was made, despite multiple calls reportedly being made and a few players the new regime hoped to move.
Among the top names who continued to be LB Anfernee Jennings, whom the Patriots were allegedly trying to trade before the season began, but kept on the 53-man roster during cutdowns. His name began to circulate ahead of Tuesday's deadline, but obviously, no trade was made.
Knowing that Jennings heard the previous chatter about the team wanting to move him, it's inevitable that he heard about it this time, too. While that might not be the greatest feeling, especially since he wasn't traded, it could serve as a motivating factor for the rest of the season.
Anfernee Jennings has been given another chance to prove why the Patriots should be happy he wasn't traded
Regardless of whether Jennings wants to remain with the Patriots or move on to another team next offseason, he has now been given a second chance to revive his career with whatever opportunities he will be given the rest of the year.
So far, he hasn't been on the field nearly as much as he has been in years past, but that means he will have to try even harder to make some plays and stand out, no matter if that helps keep him around in Foxboro or if he impresses another team enough to be pursued by them next year.
It will ultimately benefit him in the long term and his career, while also helping the Patriots in the immediate future. Their defense has a big test coming up against the Bucs, and if Jennings is able to take the field, he could be a difference-maker by trying to prove why the Patriots should have kept him around rather than sniffing around other teams about potentially trading him.
Those chances might come few and far between, but that's the game of football for many players across the league. You have to take advantage of the opportunities you're given and show why you deserve to be on the roster.