Patriots Fuel Speculation After Potential Trade Piece Sidelined In Finale

Patriots fuel speculation after potential trade piece sidelined in finale originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The preseason finale typically provides one final opportunity for younger players and veteran hopefuls. Anfernee Jennings, however, did not receive such a chance when the Patriots faced the Giants at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night.

Does it mean Jennings, who played deep into each of the first and second preseason games, miraculously turned it around in four days and solidified his roster spot? Patriots starting quarterback Drake Maye, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and dozens of other roster locks didn’t play, after all. Or might it mean Jennings, who saw snaps after fellow edge rushers Harold Landry III, K’Lavon Chaisson and Keion White throughout training camp, is not in New England’s plans?

Phil Perry raised such a question during Patriots Postgame Live after the 42-10 beatdown between backups.

“I really wonder if the reason he didn’t play tonight is because they’re planning on trading him,” Perry said.

Jennings is known to be available in trade talks, according to a report from the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan on Wednesday. Speaking before the preseason finale, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel did not confirm whether or not that was the case. No surprise.

Fellow Patriots insider Tom E. Curran took it the same way as Perry.

“Him not playing at all after playing as long as he did last week — and really to me his quality still as a football player not just in 2024 and this preseason but over the course of his time here as an edge guy who can set the edge in being a run-stopper — indicates to me he would probably be the first player the Patriots are able to move,” Curran said on the Patriots Talk podcast. “Because of his affordability to other teams, and because of the fact he’s got his best football ahead of him, I think, if he gets in the right spot.”

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If Jennings doesn’t land a spot on the 53-man roster in New England, it’s not because he lacks professional talent. The 2020 third-round pick has been one of the Patriots most consistent defenders, starting 30 of 31 games he played the last two seasons. Jennings played 79% of defensive snaps last season.

However, that was under former head coaches Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, respectively. They valued players of Jennings’ size and skillset, who could stand up against the run on early downs and rotate off the field in passing situations. Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams and Vrabel have a different vision for their edge rushers. It’s the reason Jennings has slid down the depth chart.

Given it’s related his fit within the scheme, the soon-to-be 28-year-old should still offer value elsewhere.

“There is no reason this guy shouldn’t be valued somewhere else,” Perry said. “If you’re a defense that is looking for a big end to stop the run on first and second down, and there are plenty of defenses out there who want that, especially in 2025 when the run game is sort of coming back and being more en vogue than it has been in the last several years, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be playing and playing a lot of football for another team that just wants a different type of end.” 

Curran added: “He’s a good player. He really is a good player and I’ve often thought he’s like Rob Ninkovich in terms of build and style. But he will find a home someplace.”

It’s just unlikely that place is New England.

Also in this episode:

• How will Patriots improve their roster before Week 1?
• Is Keion White in trouble?
• Which position group improved most throughout camp?