The New England Patriots are unlikely to make major trades before the NFL deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, according to sources familiar with the team’s planning.
New England holds about $5 million in salary cap space. That amount must accommodate standard in-season roster adjustments, including practice squad elevations and players moving on and off injured reserve. The team departs for Munich on Wednesday ahead of its game against the Detroit Lions next Sunday — limiting time to integrate any new player before the deadline.
TOP NEWS
The Patriots traded a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection to acquire wide receiver A.J. Brown in June. That move restricts further investment in future draft capital. Any trade activity is expected to mirror modest, depth-focused acquisitions from the Bill Belichick era — such as the 2016 deal for outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Sports Illustrated national NFL reporter Albert Breer reported the Patriots have discussed trading defensive tackle Christian Barmore. Barmore ranks third on the defensive tackle depth chart behind starters Milton Williams and Cory Durden. His non-guaranteed base salaries are $18 million in 2027 and $19 million in 2028, with corresponding cap hits of $23.6 million and $24.6 million.
Sixth-year defensive tackle Milton Williams acknowledged the deadline speculation this week. "That’s the NFL — the business we’re in," he said. "It’s tough seeing guys you go to war with mentioned in those talks, but it reminds everyone nobody is safe." Williams said he plans to encourage teammates to use the uncertainty as motivation.
The Patriots enter Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers at 5–3. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.
The NFL has until November 17 to decide whether to flex the Patriots’ Week 12 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers out of Sunday Night Football. The Chargers are 0–7. They host the Houston Texans this Sunday and visit the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football on November 16.
More: NFL · New England Patriots
