Christian Barmore, the New England Patriots’ defensive lineman, might be playing his final snaps in Foxboro with the trade deadline looming days away. Talk about #PostPulpit mailbag drama! Can you believe this is even a discussion?
The Barmore Betrayal, or Just Business?
Patriots fans are wrestling with the idea of moving Barmore, and it’s easy to see why. One fan asked if trading him would leave the team “very weak at a position that isn’t terribly strong to begin with.” That’s fair! The belief circulating is that this is Barmore’s last season in New England. He’s got no guaranteed money left on his contract, and honestly, the value of his deal hasn’t quite matched his play since he came back from those blood clots. Add in some long-term concerns over a nagging knee injury, and yeah, from a cold business perspective, moving on makes a twisted kind of sense. But if they were, say, 3-5, a trade might be considered, which makes you wonder where this team *actually* stands. Still, don’t write him off *just* yet. The expectation is he’ll still be on the roster next week, and the same goes for Carlton Davis. So, is it a move for the offseason, or is the deadline pressure real?
Buyers, Sellers, or Just… Standing There?
So, where’s the line between buying and selling for a “beat-up team” like the Patriots? With Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel at the helm, there’s always a chance to compete and make a playoff run. While some argue for getting younger and adding draft capital, the general vibe is that the time for a full-on “sell” is next offseason. For *this* deadline, the Patriots are reportedly eyeing “minor upgrades” to bolster the roster. They’re hoping to snag the “next version of Kyle Van Noy,” which means looking for a low-cost, high-impact player they can grab for something like a late-round pick swap.
And listen, while it’s annoying when teams use injured players returning as an excuse not to make moves, it’s a different beast in football. The Patriots getting guys like Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs, and Alijah Vera-Tucker back in the “upcoming weeks” is a legitimately significant boost to their roster. It’s not just hope, it’s actual firepower returning. Maybe those “minor upgrades” plus healthy returns are their version of a deadline splash.
What’s the Deal with Henderson?
Then there’s Henderson, whose name has been popping up in trade talks. Is it a culture fit issue? A system problem? What’s going on when he’s not even practicing? Turns out, Henderson has missed over a week with a “legitimate illness.” That’s the real reason for his absence. The trade chatter, though, definitely stems from some of his struggles this season. But come on, let’s not give up on the 24-year-old second-round pick just yet. Last season, he put up over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. The real hope is that Henderson can shake off both his illness and an ankle injury, and the coaching staff can figure out how to get him back to his game-breaking best on the field.
This weekend, as Rob Gronkowski and the 2016 squad celebrate in Foxboro, the current Patriots face the Green Bay Packers. But let’s be real, the real action for fans is the clock ticking down to that trade deadline. Will Barmore stay? Will they make any moves at all? It’s going to be a wild few days.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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