Insider: Rival Execs Believe Patriots Could Add to This Position at Trade Deadline
The resurgent New England Patriots find themselves in a position to add ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and there’s one position that makes a whole lot of sense.
Mike Vrabel’s team is ahead of schedule, going 4-2 to start the season and sitting atop the AFC East. With the easiest remaining schedule, New England is poised to make the playoffs and could be a buyer ahead of the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared some league-wide insight about the Patriots with rivals expecting New England to address its running back room ahead of the deadline.
“Team execs have also pegged the Patriots among teams that could look to add a back in the coming weeks,” he wrote in his weekly co-authored ESPN.com “buzz” piece with colleague Dan Graziano.
Patriots Have Obvious Need for NFL Trade Deadline Upgrade
The Patriots’ potential desire to beef up the running back room is no surprise. New England took its first brutal hit of the season in Week 5 when it lost veteran running back and kick returner Antonio Gibson for the season with a torn ACL.
On the Patriots depth chart, they still have Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson in the fold, but each player has his own warts. Stevenson’s fumbling remains an issue, and Henderson — despite the preseason buzz as a second-round draft pick out of Ohio State — clearly hasn’t earned the trust of Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
The Patriots’ run game has been abysmal regardless of who’s on the field. They’re 29th in yards per carry through six weeks, and while haven’t done a good enough job of run blocking, but the issues go beyond that.
“Among 55 qualifying running backs in Pro Football Focus’ grading, Stevenson ranks 54th, and rookie TreVeyon Henderson ranks 55th. They rank 38th and 43rd in yards after contact per carry,” The Athletic’s Chad Graff wrote.
“That’s especially concerning given the high hopes that existed for each. Stevenson is a proven, veteran running back (his fumbling woes notwithstanding) who shouldn’t rank near the worst in the league. And Henderson was picked in the second round because of his big-play ability and how NFL-ready he seemed.”
Patriots Have Options if Trading for Running Backs
The good news for the Patriots is there’s no shortage of potentially available running backs. If the Jets make Breece Hall available and are open to dealing him to a divisional rival, he’d be an obvious Patriots trade target option.
Graziano and Fowler listed a few running backs they believe could be available, and Hall topped the list for both. Browns running back Jerome Ford was also noted as the odd man out for a Cleveland team going young at the position. Also listed were Miami’s Jaylen Wright, the Giants‘ Devin Singletary and Baltimore’s Keaton Mitchell.
The Patriots aren’t expected to be alone in the pursuit for backfield additions, tough. Graziano and Fowler listed other teams in the market for backs, and the bad news for the Patriots is that it’s all potential AFC playoff foes: the Chiefs, Texans and Chargers.
Ronika Stone Reveals Why Jordan Love Gave Away His Entire $2 Million Bonus to 1,000 Kids Fighting Cancer in Green Bay — and Why It’s Bigger Than Football
A Decision That Stunned the Football World
NFL quarterbacks often make headlines for touchdowns, records, and contracts. But this time, Jordan Love made news for something far more powerful—he gave away his entire $2 million season bonus. The beneficiaries?
According to his fiancée, Ronika Stone, the decision wasn’t about money or fame. It was about purpose, love, and redefining what it means to be a hero.
Why It Was “Bigger Than Football”
Stone explained that Love has always been deeply aware of the influence athletes carry. For him, every dollar carries meaning.
“He wanted his success on the field to create real change off the field,” Ronika said.
For Love, writing the check wasn’t a sacrifice. It was a responsibility. He knew what he could do with his platform, and he chose to act.
The Inspiration Behind the Gift
The idea didn’t happen overnight. Ronika revealed that the couple had been visiting children’s hospitals quietly, without media attention, for months. They saw the fight these kids endured—the endless treatments, the resilience in their eyes, the courage of their families.
“That’s when Jordan said, ‘If I ever have a chance to make a difference, I won’t hesitate,’” Ronika recalled.
The $2 million pledge became the fulfillment of that promise.
Impact on Green Bay Families
The donation will help cover medical costs, provide housing support for families traveling for treatment, and fund child-centered therapy programs. For parents fighting alongside their children, it means relief during their darkest days.
One Green Bay mother said: “We were drowning in bills. Jordan’s gift isn’t just money—it’s hope.”
Fans React to His Generosity
When news broke, fans flooded social media with gratitude:
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“Bigger than football. This is what being a role model looks like.”
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“Jordan Love just became my favorite player—and it’s not because of the game.”
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“Green Bay has a quarterback, but more importantly, a leader.”
Beyond the Game
Love’s act reflects a growing shift among athletes who use their wealth not just for themselves, but for communities. Yet few have given away everything from a bonus.
Ronika summed it up: “People will remember his stats for a season. But they’ll never forget how he showed up for kids who needed him most.”
Final Thoughts
Jordan Love didn’t just donate $2 million. He gave 1,000 children a reason to believe in tomorrow.
And in doing so, he reminded the world: the greatest wins don’t happen on the field—they happen in the lives you change.
