For much of the past offseason, the Patriots had several players rumored to be trade candidates, and because most of the top names weren't moved, that has remained a talking point through the first half of the year. It picked up over the past week, as the deadline approaches, for two players in particular, Kyle Dugger and Keion White.
It looked like an inevitable fate for White, specifically, as he was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career against the Browns last week. That was presumed to be the beginning of the end, and now it has been made official.
As of Tuesday evening, the Patriots traded White to the 49ers for a sixth-round pick in next year's draft.
Trade! The Patriots are sending DE Keion White to the 49ers, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 28, 2025
New England gets a 2026 6th-round pick for a 2026 7th-rounder and White, who had five sacks last season. pic.twitter.com/xdSFnyUJFw
Considering he hasn't had a good season and fell down the depth chart throughout the summer, it's almost shocking to see any team willing to give up even late-round draft capital to acquire him. But given the losses the 49ers have dealt with, like Fred Warner, it's not entirely surprising that they were interested in providing White a fresh start.
The Patriots make their first big trade ahead of the 2025 NFL deadline
The 2023 second-round pick joined the Patriots with a lot of potential, and there was a lot of hope he could fill a void on the defensive line from the get-go. But he never lived up to the hype and seemingly took a step backward over the past two years, making it easy for Vrabel and Co. to move on.
Although he won't be a loss to their starting roster, the Patriots are lacking some depth for the rest of the season, which only heightens the chances of them looking to make a trade for another defensive end/pass rusher before next week's deadline.
Some names have been floated as potential candidates, and all would be expensive to acquire. However, given how much the Patriots could benefit from adding another pass rusher, they might be willing to go all-in to get the player who will make the most significant impact.
They'll need to give up more than what they received for White, though, and it's difficult to say if they'll be willing to do that, since they are yet to make any big-time trades despite the countless connections they've had to some top-name players.