Patriots missed out on a big-time trade that could've changed everything

"The New England Patriots had a quiet trade deadline but made a pair of moves the week prior. The team dealt Keion White to the 49ers and Kyle Dugger to the Steelers, both in exchange for swaps of seventh and sixth-round picks. While getting something back for White and dumping Dugger's contract are big wins, the Patriots didn't make any additions to a 7-2 squad."

"The Bengals traded top linebacker Logan Wilson to the Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick, just half a season after releasing their other 2024 starter, Germaine Pratt. The Bengals are in the midst of a lost season thanks to their horrendous defense, which allows 33.3 points per game. They've allowed at least 27 points every week except for Week 1, and have averaged allowing a whopping 39 PPG in their last three games. They're 1-2 despite averaging 37.7 PPG offensively."

"Robert Spillane has been one of the league's better linebackers over the past few weeks and has vastly improved compared to his below-average start to the year. Nonetheless, the Patriots could use some support at the position. Christian Elliss has had a very up-and-down year: he's had three sub-40 PFF grades this season, with his 30.2 overall mark being his second worst. He has a 51.4 grade for the year."

The New England Patriots traded Keion White to the 49ers and Kyle Dugger to the Steelers for late-round pick swaps and made no additions to their 7-2 roster. The Bengals traded linebacker Logan Wilson to the Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick amid a defensive collapse that allows 33.3 points per game and averaged 39 points allowed in the past three games. Wilson's strong run-defense ranking made him a logical target to reinforce New England's stout run defense, yet the Patriots did not acquire him before the deadline. Patriots linebacker usage includes Robert Spillane's recent improvement, Christian Elliss's inconsistent grades, Jack Gibbens's strong run performance, rotational snaps for Jahlani Tavai, and limited play for Marte Mapu.

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