It's hard to believe we're nearing the halfway mark of the 2026 season, and that means the trade deadline is right around the corner. The Patriots have plenty of roster holes to fill if they want a real chance to make a run at the Super Bowl again, and one of them might be a running back.
They have Rhamondre Stevenson playing well now, after starting the season with his fumbling issue, and the assumption was that TreVeyon Henderson would be a solid No. 2 in his second season.
But it has been far from that through the first seven weeks, with his latest performance against the Bears last Thursday Night receiving the most scrutiny so far. While not all the feedback is warranted, much of it is, and the Patriots can't keep overlooking his apparent regression.
Based on his limited usage last week, they don't appear to be, so they should look at potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline. The most notable might be Tony Pollard, whose latest performance against the Browns was a perfect audition tape for a Patriots offense in need.
The 29-year-old is on pace for a career season, something the Patriots could use as they continue to struggle.
Tony Pollard could boost the Patriots' stagnant run game this season
Since the 2024 season, when the Cowboys unexpectedly moved on from him, Pollard has been the Titans' go-to back. In his first two seasons, he recorded back-to-back 1,000+ rushing yards and five touchdowns each year, all while flying under the league's radar.
His performance this season has been overlooked, too, but that may change after his standout day against the Browns, even though the Titans ultimately lost.
The running back recorded 25 carries for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns on Sunday afternoon, bringing his season totals to 112 carries, 474 yards, and 4 touchdowns. That's nearly double Henderson and Stevenson's individual production, making Pollard even more desirable.
Of course, the Titans would be foolish to move on from such a playmaker, yet they've won only one game this year and are far from being a contender. That puts them in the front seat for teams that will likely move some of their best players to stack future draft picks, and Pollard would almost certainly be one of them for the best return.
The Patriots should be all over that. Pairing Pollard up with Stevenson would make for a much more productive backfield, even if he hasn't been utilized much as a receiver so far this season. He has been in the past, which Josh McDaniels likes, and that has never been Henderson's strong point.
That skill would give Drake Maye a dual weapon he doesn't currently have at second-year running back. If the Patriots already think Henderson might not be the right guy for the job, then bringing in a trusted veteran like Pollard is the right move this season.
The projected price tag is a mid-round draft pick, something the Patriots can easily afford, and given the production Pollard would add to the offense, that's more than fair and even more reason to make the call.
The problem is that the Titans' front office isn't a big fan of Mike Vrabel, and rumors suggest that could keep them from ever agreeing to a trade with the Patriots. So that could be a roadblock they can't overcome, no matter how good an offer they make.
However, it shouldn't prevent Eliot Wolf from inquiring, given how much they need to improve their run game before it's too late, and Pollard looks like he would be the perfect fit, while Henderson's value continues to decrease.
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