FOXBOROUGH - Standing pat at the trade deadline has taken some air out of the Patriots balloon in the minds of onlookers.

What about the minds of the players?

At 7-2, sitting first in the division, primed to make a run in an AFC that’s wide open, how did they feel about the team’s inactivity?

Failing to provide reinforcements can be taken one of two ways by the players.

It could mean Mike Vrabel & Co. have faith in what they have, what they’re building and believe this group can make something happen as is, which could be construed as a vote of confidence.

Or, it could be taken as a slap in the face, that the braintrust thinks while the team has exceeded expectations, they’re going nowhere, so why surrender assets?

Naturally, it was a hot button topic in the Patriots locker room.

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