Many expected the New England Patriots to be sellers by the trade deadline.
It made all of the sense in the world from a team-building perspective. The Patriots are 2-6 with likely no hope of contending in the AFC East division or even earning a playoff spot.
They have a poorly constructed roster, particularly on the offensive side that could use a significant reboot. Why not trade off expiring contracts of players, such as Josh Uche, Kyle Dugger and Mike Onwenu and rebuild the team accordingly?
Well, it takes two teams to make a trade. The Patriots could be considering bringing those players back in the offseason, and maybe they felt like there weren’t big enough offers out there to move some of their key players. There’s also the possibility that coach Bill Belichick doesn’t want to be in the business of tanking.
He’s going to try to save face by winning as many games as possible this season. The Patriots would rather go down fighting than abandon the sinking ship.
Of course, that isn’t sitting well with the hordes of fans growing impatient from what’s on pace to be the worst season in the Belichick era. Here’s what fans on Twitter were saying about the team’s decision to sit pat at the trade deadline:
I absolutely hate the New England Patriots and what ownership has let happen to this team! #robertkraft #patriots
— OConnor (@JustSportIt) October 31, 2023
While other teams in similar position look at their limited rosters & add draft assets + flexibly for the upcoming draft for players they don’t have in their long-term plans the Patriots are scheming for how they’ll beat those shorthanded teams & get BB closer to the wins record. pic.twitter.com/tznqDoCXPU
— Nik Athans (@NewEnglandNik) October 31, 2023
I love the New England Patriots and all these turncoats will not phase me. I will die on the ship with this team and this coach
— MaskedJamo (@MaskedJamo) October 31, 2023
Trick or treat. We're on to Halloween. 🎃
— Timbo (@Timbo7290) October 31, 2023
*BREAKING*
Most fans’ faith in the New England Patriots organization. pic.twitter.com/jwUm55XAPa
— Orwell’s Ghost (@planterspunch7) October 31, 2023
Can we pass on Belichick?
— Thomas McCreedy III (@MccreedyIII) October 31, 2023
— Patrick Murphy (@Patrick76661889) October 31, 2023
@MikeReiss it’s time for RK to make some changes to football operations. We should have sold on all free agents
— Stephen Flynn Jr (@sflynn78) October 31, 2023
Bill is holding onto his assets trying to squeeze every win he can get out this team till he breaks the coaching wins record.
— combustman (@combustman1) October 31, 2023
ONCE AGAIN DIRECTIONLESS AND RUDDERLESS. NO PLAN. JUST REACTING TO TODAY. UNBELIEVABLE MORE ASSET MISMANAGEMENT. THEY NEED TO FIRE BILL. THANK YOU I MEAN IT BILL BUT IT'S TOO MUCH FOR THIS GUY NOW.
— Crash187m (@billstanton1217) October 31, 2023
Last place in the AFC and they do nothing…pathetic.
— Dan (@DanMateus75) October 31, 2023
me trying to love this team: pic.twitter.com/jqTPU9R1cc
— g (@ggallo117) October 31, 2023
We are on the right track to firing Belichick after the season.
— WhatIsThis (@nepnaf) October 31, 2023
Tank or treat!
— Matthew A. Gilbert, MBA (@MatthewAGilbert) October 31, 2023
As expected, now its time to enjoy the crying from those who swore there would be trades.
— Dangerous Loomer (@CockyCent) October 31, 2023
Running out of examples of management failing
— Dalton Hunt (@Dee_Hunt45) October 31, 2023
I thought they’d make at least one move. Oh well…
“It is what is is.”
“We’re on to Washington.
“Next man up.”
“Do your job.”— Jive Turkey (@JiveTurkey92109) October 31, 2023
This is going to be a long long period of pretending we can compete when clearly needing a massive reset and rebuild. Starting with leadership. Disgusting
— CM (@Jack22Ryan) October 31, 2023
Well now I have no reason to continue watching this dumpster fire of a team. Sundays are now wide open. Thanks BB and RK!!
— Chris (@chrisclark1976) October 31, 2023
Not sure to understand why, at 2-6, they decide to stay pat. Doesn't make sense to me..
— Luc Granger (@LucGranger2) October 31, 2023
Brutal. Can't wait for Uche, Dugger, Onenwu to walk for free while we go 4-13 & then probably take an OL over a QB in the draft.
Completely over Bill as GM.
— Alex_Walsh (@alexwalsh6) October 31, 2023
— Drew' Dawson (@dawondrew36) October 31, 2023
— Alba (@anthonyalba30) October 31, 2023
