Status Woe: 2-6 New England Patriots Quiet at NFL Trade Deadline

Despite a flurry of rumors, the New England Patriots were neither buyers nor sellers at the NFL's Trade Deadline.

While their immediate outlook got a tad brighter on Tuesday, the season-long future of the 2-6 New England Patriots remained bleak as they turned out to be neither buyers nor sellers at the NFL's trade deadline.

Despite a flurry of rumors that indicated they received calls about running back Ezekiel Elliott and linebacker Josh Uche, and made inquiries into the availability of Washington Commanders' pass-rusher Chase Young, the Patriots ultimately made no deals. They apparently didn't consider trading Mac Jones, and a report said they received no interest in the regressing, third-year quarterback.

The Pats were also reportedly open to trading for Denver Broncos' receiver Jerry Jeudy, and trading away safety Kyle Dugger and offensive lineman Michael Onwenu. None of the deals materialized.

Bottom line: The Pats are content with their status woe. Halloween provided neither trick nor treat.

With the worst record in the AFC and critical injuries to stars on both sides of the ball (offense: Kendrick Bourne; defense: Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez), they acquired no help for the roster heading into upcoming games against a pair of 3-5 teams in the Commanders and Indianapolis Colts.

Mac Jones and the Patriots got no roster help through trades at Tuesday's deadline / USA Today Sports

Suffering its worst season since 2000, New England was thought to be in the market to trade assets for future draft picks. But it stood pat, and currently has the No. 5 overall selection in next April's NFL Draft.

Their chances of winning Sunday at home against Washington did improve, however, as the Commanders traded away their two best pass-rushers in deadline deals. Washington held a mini-fire sale, first dealing Montez Sweat to the Chicago Bears and later trading 2020 No. 2 overall draft pick Chase Young to the San Francisco 49ers.

Young and Sweat accounted for 11.5 of the Commanders' 25 sacks and 43 percent of their quarterback pressures. Young's rushes forced 16 incompletions this season, fourth in the league behind only the Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons (22), Baltimore Ravens' Jadeveon Clowney (21) and Jacksonville Jaguars' Josh Allen (19).

Those moves should be music to the ears of Jones and Pats' offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. Partially because of an injury-riddled, inconsistent offensive line, New England has topped 20 points only once this season and hasn't produced a 300-yard passing game since Jones threw 54 passes in the season-opening loss to the Eagles.

At least for a week, the job of protecting Jones in the pocket became a little easier. But the remainder of the 2023 season remains uncharacteristically difficult.

---