Overview
- New England made no trades on deadline day, instead signing wide receiver Brenden Rice to the practice squad.
- Asked how close deals came, Mike Vrabel replied, "Deals are like being pregnant — you either are or you aren't," adding the team worked the phones before deciding not to move.
- The front office explored additions at edge rusher and running back, according to reports, but found no acceptable terms.
- In the days before the deadline, the Patriots executed pick-swap trades sending safety Kyle Dugger to the Steelers and defensive lineman Keion White to the 49ers.
- Players cast the quiet deadline as confidence in a 7-2 roster, with focus shifting to preparation for the road trip to Tampa Bay.