Vrabel Responds to Patriots Trade Speculation

Vrabel said he had not shared information about possible trades involving defensive lineman Christian Barmore or cornerback Carlton Davis. He described the talk as speculation that can surface at this point in the season and said New England was focused on preparing for Green Bay and correcting mistakes from its previous game.

The Patriots are 5-3 and have an undefeated home record. They are also unbeaten in AFC East play, sit 1.5 games behind Buffalo in the division, and have beaten the Bills this season. The trade deadline is November 10. Barmore’s coming salary increase and Davis’s age have been raised as factors in the team’s possible trade decisions.

Vrabel said he does not feel a need to address trade rumors directly with players. Instead, he described discussing their performance and technique, including Barmore’s work on a sack and Davis’s run-game coverage. He said the team could improve through better coaching and execution, as well as by adding players.

New England is weighing its options with another week before the deadline and is due to leave for Munich next week. Vrabel said the immediate priorities were improving the running game and finding ways to pressure the quarterback.