Patriots Reportedly ‘Shopping’ Former Starting Linebacker Ahead Of Deadline

The New England Patriots are expected to be buyers ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, but could also subtract from their roster.

New England has already traded away Kyle Dugger and Keion White ahead of the deadline, as the defensive players had fallen out of favor in the rotation.

Now, ahead of the deadline, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on X that the Patriots are open to trading linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who started multiple games the last two seasons.

“Sources: While the Patriots are in buying mode, one player they’ve been shopping is OLB Anfernee Jennings,” Schultz wrote. “Jennings started 30 games over the past two seasons but hasn’t started a game this year under the new defensive staff.”

The Patriots selected Jennings in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The 28-year-old developed into an impact player after a quiet start to his career.

However, with Mike Vrabel now the Patriots’ head coach, Jennings has become a backup behind K’Lavon Chiasson. Jennings has recorded just eight tackles and one sack this season, and it appears New England is open to trading him to give him a chance to start elsewhere.

Jennings is in the second year of his three-year, $12 million deal with the Patriots, but there is a potential out after this season.

New England has been linked to adding pass rush help ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline

The Patriots are set to go on the road to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.