Key Highlights
- Patriots’ wide receiver Stefon Diggs rallying teammates with the phrase “We all we got!” and “We all we need!”
- Vrabel’s team contemplates roster improvements as trade deadline approaches on Nov. 4.
- Patriots face challenges in running back depth and defensive first-drive performance.
- Mike Vrabel shares insights from his time with the Browns, benefiting Patriots’ preparation for upcoming game against Cleveland Browns.
The Trade Deadline: A Critical Moment for the New England Patriots
With just over a week until the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025, the New England Patriots find themselves in a pivotal moment. As ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports, wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been rallying his teammates with the phrase “We all we got!” and “We all we need!,” a message that has resonated within the locker room. This positive energy has contributed to the team’s surprising 5-2 start but raises questions about whether this is truly enough for sustained success.
Vrabel on Roster Improvements
In an interview with “The Rich Eisen Show,” head coach Mike Vrabel expressed his openness to making roster improvements. He stated, “As far as the roster, any opportunities that we have to improve it — whether that’s the practice squad or the 53-man roster — we’ll always try to do that.” However, the specific areas of focus are yet unknown.
Vrabel is working closely with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Ryan Cowden. According to a source familiar with the team’s thinking, one potential target could be a veteran edge rusher behind Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson. The Patriots currently have just two running backs on their roster (Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson), an issue they’ve managed by elevating Terrell Jennings from the practice squad for games over the past three weeks.
Defensive Challenges
The Patriots’ defense faces its own set of challenges. The team ranks 30th in the NFL in points allowed on the first two defensive possessions of games, and this has been a point of emphasis in recent practices. Defensive playcaller Zak Kuhr said, “It’s something we’re emphasizing every day. We have to figure it out.” Despite their strong performance from the third possession onwards (No. 3 ranking for fewest points allowed), the Patriots are looking to improve their start.
Team Chemistry and Development
Any potential addition will be carefully considered, especially in how it affects team chemistry and the development of other players on the roster. This aligns with Vrabel’s stated preference for maintaining his current locker room culture. The Patriots have a well-stocked 2026 draft class with ten picks, including multiples in rounds 4, 6, and 7, and eight picks in 2027.
A significant injury could alter the outlook, potentially putting the Patriots into a more aggressive mindset.
For now, entering Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox), the Patriots have only one player on the injury report: safety Kyle Dugger (knee, questionable). This relative good health suggests that for the time being, “we all we got, we all we need” remains the team’s mantra.
Conclusion
The New England Patriots find themselves at a crossroads as they approach the trade deadline. While their current roster and culture have served them well so far this season, the need for improvement is evident in various areas of the team. As Vrabel and his staff continue to evaluate options, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether “we all we got” can translate into a successful remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
