How Mike Vrabel, Pats’ players reacted to quiet trade deadline

With seven wins within the financial institution and a remarkably easy schedule forward of them, the Patriots selected to face pat on the commerce deadline.

New England is main the AFC East, and is second within the convention general.

Vrabel was requested if the Patriots have been shut to creating a transfer. He used an attention-grabbing analogy to clarify his view of the scenario.

“I might say that offers are like being pregnant,” coach Mike Vrabel mentioned. “You both are otherwise you aren’t. It’s both a deal or it’s not, so I don’t know the way shut you will be.”

“I do know that everybody labored laborious, that we investigated, regarded in, made cellphone calls and [did] what personnel departments do,” he added. “And ultimately, we determined that this was what we have been going to do and determined to maneuver ahead with our preparation for Tampa.”

Successful is an important factor, Vrabel mentioned, however the Patriots even have to contemplate their long run strategy in the direction of constructing round Drake Maye.

“We’re 7-2 with the blokes we’ve obtained on this room,” defensive lineman Milton Williams mentioned. “I believe most of it’s for the long run. They’re attempting to make the correct strikes for the long run. I’m simply saying that from my viewpoint, I don’t know … we’ve simply obtained to maintain it going.”

Stefon Diggs mentioned he didn’t get too caught up in following commerce rumors.

“I didn’t actually suppose an excessive amount of about it, I simply felt like, clearly, that’s above my pay grade,” Diggs mentioned.

The Patriots are one in all three AFC groups with a 7-2 report, together with the Broncos and Colts. The Colts, with a 6-1 report within the AFC, at present maintain the tiebreaker for win share on convention video games. The Patriots and Broncos are each 4-2 in AFC play, however New England is forward of the standings due to strength of victory.

In accordance with ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Patriots have an 87 p.c likelihood of creating the playoffs.

However in the event you ask Vrabel in regards to the abruptly wide-open AFC, he’ll inform you that that is no time for the Patriots to get forward of themselves.

“For us to take a seat right here, suppose that something is huge open and speak about playoffs, we’re specializing in our tenth sport in a row,” Vrabel mentioned. “That’s what we’re centered on. How can we get ready on Wednesday? How can we get our our bodies again? How can we get mentally ready, bodily ready to go on the highway to a spot that’s laborious to play?”

“That’s the place our focus is. It’s not attempting to foretell the way forward for saying, ‘Nicely, it’s huge open.’ We’re simply going to maintain specializing in what’s in entrance of us, and that’s what these conversations are about.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports activities Reporter

Khari Thompson covers skilled sports activities for Boston.com. Earlier than becoming a member of the staff in 2022, Khari lined school soccer for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.