FOXBORO — The NFL trade deadline came and went Tuesday with little buzz and even less news out of 1 Patriot Place.
The Patriots made zero transactions outside of one practice-squad signing, opting to instead stick with the roster that’s led them to a tie for the NFL’s best record. Sources said the front office explored adding edge rushers and running backs, two positions with iffy depth; though head coach Mike Vrabel indicated Wednesday afternoon the team was never close on a deal.
Players inside the locker room later said they took the front office’s inaction as a vote of confidence.
“We’re 7-and-2 with the guys that we got in this room, and I think most of it is just for the future,” said Pats defensive tackle Milton Williams. “(The front office) is trying to make sure they make all the right moves for the future. I’m just saying that from my point of view, I don’t know. But like I said, my group, our group, I feel like we’ve been playing good all year. We’ve just gotta to keep it going.”
Last week, the Patriots got a head start on the deadline by trading safety Kyle Dugger to Pittsburgh and defensive lineman Keion White to the 49ers in a pair of pick-swap deals that shipped out a seventh-round pick with each player and netted sixth-rounders in return. If White is active for at least seven games in San Francisco, however, the Patriots will keep their seventh-round pick, per the NFL Network.
White played 33 snaps in the 49ers’ win last Sunday over the Giants, but did not record a tackle.
