Patriots Set to Target $13 Million Edge Rusher in Blockbuster Trade with Division Rival đš
When first-year New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel took over the team in January, he had plenty of problems to address. The Patriots won just four games under coach Jerod Mayo in 2024, and only four the year before that under legendary â but probably past his sell date â coach Bill Belichick, in the six-time Super Bowl winning coachâs final season there.
That crisis-level disaster doesnât happen without multiple factors going awry. But arguably there was not a more conspicuous flaw in the Patriots than the pass rush. And Vrabel has made tremendous progress in fixing that problem. New England rushers have already sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times in eight games, good enough for 13th in the 32-team NFL.
But Vrabel and the Patriots are apparently not done upgrading the pass rush yet, at least according to new reporting on Saturday morning by senior NFL insider for The Athletic Dianna Russini.
Patriots Target Pass Rusher From AFC East
According to Russiniâs report, the Patriots have shown âinterestâ in trading for Miami Dolphins 2021 first-round draft pick â 18th overall out of Miami â Jaelan Phillips, who in his last fully healthy season, 2022, racked up seven sacks and eight tackles for loss (TFL).
The Patriots this season are only nine sacks short of their total for all 17 games in 2024 (28), a total that placed them dead last in the league. They werenât much better in 2023, when their collective 36 sacks ranked 27th.
The Patriotsâ team leaders in sacks last season, with five each, were Keion White and Deatrich Wise Jr. Neither remains on this yearâs edition of the team.
So far in 2025, edge rushers Harold Landry III and KâLavon Chaisson already have 10 between them, with 5.5 for Landry and 4.5 for Chaisson.
Would Phillips Add Anything?
After trading White to the San Francisco 49ers, Vrabel is likely looking for depth at the edge position. Phillips could definitely bring that. He logged 8.5 sacks in his rookie year of 2021 in Miami.
The question with the former Hurricane comes down to his ability to stay on the field. After only four games in 2024, the linebacker suffered a season-ending knee injury.
The ACL tear, which required reconstructive surgery, came just a year after Phillipsâ 2023 season came to a screeching halt after only eight games when he tore an Achilles tendon during a perhaps aptly named âBlack Fridayâ game against the New York Jets.
Entering the 2025 season, Phillipps admitted that he had been dealing with an oblique strain, but so far that injury has not caused him to miss time. Phillips has started all nine games for the Dolphins, with three sacks and three more TFL.
Patriots Would Need to Part With Day 2 Pick
Phillips is playing the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract, and comes with a $13.3 million cap hit. But with more than $54 million in salary cap space, the Patriots lead the league in financial flexibility and could comfortably absorb Phillips salary this season.
Next season is another story, with the edge rusherâs contract expiring after the season. According to Russini, the Dolphins want âat least a third-rounder in returnâ for Phillips. Whether that price is too high for the Patriots to pay for what could turn out to be an eight-game rental will be decided by the trade deadline, Tuesday at 4 p.m. Eastern.
Broncos QB Bo Nix Announces Life-Changing News Before Jets Game
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Specifically, Nix and his wife, Izzy Smoke, revealed that they are expecting their first child together.
The couple, who have been together since his days at Auburn, got married in 2022.
Izzy Smoke Announces New Addition to Bo Nix Family
GettyDenver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and wife Izzy Smoke.
âNix party of 3!!!â Smoke posted on Instagram on October 10, along with a photo of the couple walking through a field as the Broncosâ QB held ultrasound photos of their new addition to the family.
The news quickly reached family and friends of Nix and Smoke, including other members of the Broncos.
Friends & Family Congratulate Bo Nix on Baby News
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates on the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nixâs âbrother,â Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson, was among those to congratulate the Broncos QB and his bride on their joyful announcement.
âLetâs goo I canât wait,â Johnson posted in the comments.
Current Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham, Nixâs backup for the past two seasons, also chimed in, saying, âLove you guys!!!!!!â while his wife, Kennedy, posted âMY BESTIES HAVIN A BABYYYYY!!!!! we love yall so much [happy tears and heart hands emojis].â
The Nixes and Stidhams vacationed together last year, and, along with former Broncos QB Zach Wilson and his then-fiancée, now wife, spent other moments off the field together.
This is gold. Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson getting asked by their wives/fiance âquestions only girls should knowâ đđđ
âCongratulations!!!â New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, Nixâs teammate at Oregon, said in his reply. âHappy for yall!â
âYou and Bo will be amazing parents!! Going to rack up some Southwest points!â one of Smokeâs relatives posted. âCanât wait to be a âShugâ to Baby Nix!!â
âBest mom and dad ever loading !!!!!!â posted another, adding, âCannot wait to love on baby Nix [praising and clapping hands emojis].â
Bo Nix, Izzy Smoke Share Deep Faith
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers
Smokeâs post also included a Bible verse, which offers insight into and has played a major part in the coupleâs relationship. Nix has spoken at length about his faith and how it has allowed him to be successful in other facets of his life.
âBefore I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart,â Smoke posted, quoting Jeremiah⏠â1âŹ:â5âŹ.
The former Auburn cheerleader and mother-to-be was by Nixâs side on draft night.
âThe day I met Bo, he told me about this God-sized dream of his. I will never stop praising the Lord for His faithfulness or have enough words to express how proud I am of you, Bo. Overjoyed and honored to join Broncos country!!! [orange and blue heart emojis],âÂ
âWeâve always loved orange and blue [winking and bashful laughing emojis].â
That last line was a nod to their days at Auburn together. It now represents the colors Nix will be wearing when their baby arrives sometime in 2026. After getting an opportunity to play in the NFL, Nix and Smoke are enjoying life-changing news of a very different variety.
