The Patriots made an early move this week when they traded Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs. It remains to be seen what else is in store for Jerod Mayo’s team, but reports have indicated that the Patriots are open for business.
With the NFL deadline next Tuesday, Mayo said the organization is focused on improving its team for the short and long term. It remains to be seen if that means trading away players for draft assets or acquiring players to build for the future.
“I would say from our perspective as an organization, we’re always trying to get better,” Mayo said. “Whether that’s to bring players in, or addition through subtraction. We have to both look in the short term and also in the long term.”
The Patriots already made one move by trading Uche to the Chiefs for a 2026 sixth-round pick. That move ensured that the team got something for Uche, who would’ve more than likely left in the offseason.
The Patriots could trade away more veteran players to gain more draft capital.
As of this week, several Patriots veteran players have been rumored to be targeted by other teams. The Athletic said Davon Godchaux and Kendrick Bourne are Patriots “to keep an eye on.”
The NFL Network reported that K.J. Osborn is another likely target. The veteran receiver indicated last week that he would like to be traded due to dwindling playing time. Regarding Bourne, the NFL Network reported “It would take a large deal to pry him from New England.”
ESPN has floated cornerback Jonathan Jones as a name to watch in trade rumors. The veteran has been one of the most important leaders on this Patriots team. On Wednesday, Mayo said the team is aware of what it would mean to trade away a good veteran player who adds leadership to a young locker room.
“Look, to us, we’re in the business of bringing in good players and keeping our good players,” Mayo said. “I think you bring up an interesting point as far as, like, the culture guys. I do think that’s important. I also would say I think it’s important with the coaches as well, to bring in guys that really believe in the culture and where we’re trying to go. Definitely, we take those things into consideration.”
The Patriots could also try to add additional players to this roster. Last year, the Chicago Bears were 1-5 when they traded a second-round pick to Washington for Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat. The Bears signed Sweat to a long-term deal and now he’s one of their best defensive players.
“I mean, there will always be moves throughout the league,” Mayo said when asked if he expects the Patriots to make more moves. “Again, I’m not sure how active or inactive we’ll be.”
