Why Adam Schefter Believes Patriots Unlikely To Acquire Derrick Henry

The New England Patriots likely didn’t expect to be buyers at the NFL trade deadline this season, but they now find themselves in that situation after a hot 4-2 start.

If the Patriots want to trade for talent over the next three weeks, they should target offensive weapons like receivers and running backs.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons floated out a trade idea on Monday that would send Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry to New England.

“What pick would get their attention?” Simmons said on “The Bills Simmons podcast”, via ClutchPoints Ben Strauss. “Like our second? What if our second and Rhamondre (Stevenson)? They got to take Rhomandre; they need a running back. You know who used to work together? Derrick Henry and Mike Vrabel. Yeah, they used to have a really great relationship once upon a time.”

However, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter threw cold water on New England landing Henry.

“No, it’s not going to happen,” Schefter told “WEEI Afternoons” on Tuesday, via Tom Caroll. “I can tell you, I spoke to people in Baltimore. They’re getting ready to make what they believe is a second half run. Now, my guess is if Baltimore comes back from the break and loses two games back-to-back and falls to, at that point in time, 1-7, then that last week, maybe all bets are off, I guess.

“But I can tell you today that the Ravens are not thinking anything like that. They’re thinking, ‘Look at our schedule, look at our talent, we’re going to make a run here. We’re not done.’ And a team that is thinking that way is not in the mindset of trading Derrick Henry.”

Henry has two years left on his contract after this season, so the Ravens will probably not consider trading him. Despite only managing to secure one win so far this season, the team will likely hold on to him.

When Baltimore is healthy, it is one of the best teams in the NFL, but quarterback Lamar Jackson missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

The Ravens may not be in a position to reach the playoffs this season, but a year of resetting could put them back in postseason contention next season.