The New England Patriots are doing a very good job of proving all of those preseason doubters wrong. The team might have gotten off to a pretty slow start to begin the 2014 season, but they have truly hit their stride and Week 8 was just another example. After Tom Brady and the offense torched the Chicago Bears in a 23-51 win, no one is questioning the team's future, but as the offense thrives could they still be poised to make a trade before the deadline?
The Patriots continue to get linked trades for wide receivers as the NFL deadline is just a day away. Yes, the offense did put up 51 points thanks to three touchdowns from Rob Gronkowski and one each for Brandon LaFell and Tim Wright. However, that is not stopping many NFL analysts from believing that New England might favor bringing on one more solid set of hands for Brady to work with. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are favorites to land a trade for Vincent Jackson.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have denied that Jackson is available for dealing considering he is one of their best offensive players right now. However, Rapoport notes that the Buccaneers are getting plenty of interest and they might opt to deal the receiver who is set to make $10 million next season. Jackson is not getting any young and while he is not showing signs of aging, it would be in Tampa Bay's best interest to deal now while his stock is high. Rapoport notes that the Eagles and Seahawks are also interested.
Could the Patriots consider a return of Wes Welker. ESPN.com reports that the wide receiver might be the odd man out when it comes to contracts with the Denver Broncos considering Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas also need new deals. Welker will not be coming back to New England. He will not be pulling a LeBron James and "go home." There was bad blood when Welker left and it could still be lingering two years later. Welker might not be returning to the Broncos next season, but he will certainly not be signing on with New England either.
The Patriots could also considering big moves for either Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson before the deadline, although both moves are extremely uncharacteristic for Bill Belichick and company. New England is benefitting from the rise of both LaFell and Wright which is overshadowing the continuing struggles of Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson. It is likely that the Patriots roster stays put for the time being and Brady just continues to prove people wrong in the meantime.
