Feb. 7, 2026, 4:31 a.m. PT

Sometimes a mid-season trade acquisition fails to make an impact. It’s tough for a player to get familiar with a team and defensive scheme without being with them during training camp. That wasn’t the case for former UCLA Bruin Akeem Ayers, who was traded mid-season to the New England Patriots in 2014 and helped the Patriots win the Super Bowl that season.

The trade for Ayers was by no means a blockbuster. Ayers was traded along with a seventh round pick from the Tennessee Titans to the Patriots in exchange for a sixth round pick. As far as trade capital goes, you’ll rarely see a player get moved for less. Ayers fit right in with Matt Patricia’s philosophy, recording 4.0 sacks in nine regular season games for the Patriots.

Ayers then appeared in all three Patriot playoff games, which culminated with a 28-24 win in Super Bowl XLIX over the Seattle Seahawks. Ayers didn’t record a sack or a tackle in the Super Bowl but the former Bruin did get a hit on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. That game ended with Malcolm Butler’s heroic interception at the goal line, as the Patriots defense forced a turnover to win the game.

After the Super Bowl, Ayers would never play another playoff game. In the offseason, Ayers signed with the St. Louis Rams and he would spend time with the Rams, Colts and Giants before retiring after the 2017 season. 

Ayers was a tremendous Bruin, playing three seasons with UCLA where he recorded 14 sacks and six interceptions for the Bruins from 2008-2010. In the three seasons, Ayers scored three defensive touchdowns and forced an impressive seven fumbles.

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The former second round pick would register 15.5 sacks in his NFL career but he was an important rotational pass rusher for the Patriots Super Bowl winning team. A decade later, the Patriots and the Seahawks will face off again in the Super Bowl this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.