MATTAPAN – Cutdown day is four days away. Based on his usage in training camp and the preseason, it’s pretty clear Anfernee Jennings is on the roster bubble.
The subject of trade rumors, the Patriots veteran linebacker may, or may not be with the team after Tuesday.
With that as a backdrop, how did Jennings spend his Saturday?
Putting further roots down in the community.
Why?
Because this is where Jennings wants to be, and continue his NFL career.
Jennings was at Hunt Almont Playground in Mattapan hosting a backpack drive to benefit the Mattapan Patriots youth football team.
His mother Felicia and grandmother Roberta flew in from Florida for the occasion with Jennings handing out 200 backpacks filled with school supplies.
“I’ve been here like six years. This is like a second home,” said Jennings, who was a third-round draft pick in 2020 out of Alabama. “So being able to be here, and give back to the community, I take pride in stuff like this. It’s a blessing to be able to do that.
“Over the years, it’s grown on me (to give back) and I’ve always had a heart for that. So I’m glad to be here.”
The question going forward is whether Jennings will be here playing for Mike Vrabel in 2025.
A significant contributor in recent seasons, Jenning has largely been relegated to second and third team reps throughout camp.
Playing late into Saturday’s second preseason game against Minnesota, Jennings was dominant, registering three sacks.
The 28-year-old is well aware of his status, but feels like he’s given himself a good shot to make the team.
“I feel like I had a pretty good camp,” said Jennings, who missed the preseason finale in New York against the Giants due to injury. “I understand the business end. I feel like I can just control what I can control, and everything else will take care of itself.”
There’s a notion that Jennings, who was fourth on the team in tackles (78) last year, with 12 run stuffs, might not be the best fit for Vrabel’s penetrating defensive system.
Jennings doesn’t agree with that view.
“I can fit in any system. I’m a ballplayer,” Jennings said. “That’s for them to say that and me to go out there, put the work in, and do what I got to do to help the team win.”
Jennings said he hasn’t necessarily been bothered by falling down the depth chart and being relegated to playing with the third-string.
“I don’t look at it like that,” he said. “I just look at it as, that when I go out there, I consider myself a starter no matter what reps I’m taking.”
Vrabel praised Jennings for his work against the Vikings. How have the interactions with the Patriots coach gone?
“He basically told me what he was looking for,” Jennings said, “and I do my best to go out and do what I need to go, to do what he asks me to do.”
Those in attendance at the playground on a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon were grateful to have a Patriots player on hand, helping the city’s football program.
“This city, this community has grown on me,” Jennings said. “Like I said, it’s like a second home to me. I love being in Massachusetts. And that’s that.”
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