FOXBOROUGH – Trent Sherfield thought he might be preparing for the AFC Championship, but certainly didn’t think it would be with the Patriots.
The veteran wide receiver has had a roller coaster of a season. His longest stop was in Denver, playing in 10 games, making three starts for the Broncos. After a quick stop in Arizona, Sherfield joined the Patriots’ practice squad for the playoff run.
Now, the 29-year-old is helping the Patriots prepare for his former team and friend, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
“I was in Denver. We’re having a great season. And then things just didn’t work out,” Sherfield told MassLive. “It’s just been crazy. But I think that God is just restoring a lot of things that I felt like I lost this past season. I’m just blessed, man. And honestly, I’m just really just along for the ride. I didn’t ask to be here. Obviously, I’m grateful to be here.”
In his eighth NFL season, Sherfield signed a 2-year, $8 million contract with the Broncos this season. He played in 10 games, making three starts as a receiver and core special teamer. Sherfield caught three passes in the regular season from Broncos starting quarterback Bo Nix.
This offseason, Sherfield grew close to Stidham. The receiver worked out with the Broncos backup quarterback and said he was one of Stidham’s top targets throughout the offseason and training camp.
That connection grew in the preseason as Sherfield caught a 36-yard touchdown from Stidham against the San Francisco 49ers. The receiver was impressed with the quarterback’s abilities and said the Patriots wouldn’t be wise to overlook the backup in Sunday’s AFC Championship game.
“Yeah, me and Jarrett were really cool, man. Jarrett’s a really good guy,” Sherfield said. “We literally spent all training camp (together). He was mainly throwing to me, and I would go with him in this group and played in the preseason together. Really great quarterback, in my opinion. I think that he’s a starter in this league, 1,000%. A guy that’s always prepared and was coming in the building early. I know he’ll be ready. He’ll be ready for the opportunity. I know one thing for sure about Sean (Payton), he’s gonna have him ready.”
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As the Patriots prepare for the Broncos’ tough defense, Sherfield said he’s been able to share some information that could help his new team. Denver finished second in the NFL in total defense, second in rush defense, third in scoring, and seventh in pass defense.
“Honestly, I think Sean does a great job of mixing things up,” Sherfield said. “He does a really good job of using just different personnel and all those different things like that. There are little tidbits in here that I can give them, but I was out of there after week 10, and (Payton)’s done such a great job. But I think more than anything, the guys here, they just had to stick to what they’ve been doing.”
The Broncos were 12-2 when they released Sherfield. He then spent the rest of the season with the 3-win Cardinals before joining the Patriots right after the regular season ended.
The veteran said it’s been a wild ride.
“Full circle moment,” Sherfield said. “I’ve been talking to my family about it, like, you can’t write a better story.”
