Sunday saw a pair of trades take place in the NFL, and more could be coming as teams sort out their rosters leading up to the cutdown deadline. In the meantime, a number of high-profile players are still without an extension at this point. 
Trades for the likes of Terry McLaurin (Commanders), Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and Micah Parsons (Cowboys) have been speculated about given the lack of progress with respect to contract talks in each case. The Commanders have not shown a willingness to move McLaurin, whereas GMs around the league do not view a Parsons swap as being realistic. Interest will no doubt continue to be shown by suitors, though, and the Patriots will be worth watching on that front.
“We’re talking to all 31 other teams and trying to do what’s best for us,” de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said on Monday when asked about potentially swinging a notable trade (via MassLive’s Karen Guregian). “If something presents itself, I think those things are often a lot more complicated than the fans and some others like to make you believe, but if there’s something we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it.”
More importantly, Wolf later answered in the affirmative when specifically asked if he would be willing to part with a first- or second-round pick to facilitate a trade. In the case of Hendrickson in particular, that could prove to be significant. The Bengals are once again fielding trade calls for the reigning sack leader even though any return deep into August would presumably fall short of what would have been attainable during the spring.
Cincinnati is reportedly seeking a package involving at least one player in addition to draft capital in the event of a Hendrickson trade. Any acquiring team would then be required to also hammer out a long-term extension including a commitment beyond Year 1 in terms of guaranteed money (something which has proven to be a sticking point with the Bengals). The Patriots could represent a suitable trade partner keeping each factor in mind.
New England has the draft capital to pull off a notable trade for a veteran like Hendrickson, and the team leads the league with nearly $60MM in 2025 cap space (although future funds are more relevant to an extension, of course). Meanwhile, defenders like Anfernee Jennings and Kyle Dugger are on the Patriots’ roster bubble. Jennings has experience operating on the edge, and adding him could help compensate – to a slight extent, at least – for the loss of Hendrickson were a trade to be worked out.
Nothing is imminent regarding the Patriots at this point. Given Wolf’s comments and their financial situation, though, they will be a team to monitor until and unless the league’s top remaining contract standoffs find a resolution.
Patriots would be wise to bring in someone like McLaurin. Someone Drake Maye could count on to make the catches that need to be made.
I do think that was the logic behind Diggs..this may be a sneaky good Pats passing game as-is. A starting trio of Diggs, Boutte and Douglas with Chism waiting in the wings isn’t a bad group for Maye to grow up with.
That said, if they feel heat to contend right away, they need to make a move because they’re nowhere near the top dogs on the conference.
First year coach, second year quarterback, and a roster that still needs some rebuilding in a conference with Mahomes, Allen, Jackon, and Burrow. Seems like building the team for the long haul and doing everything they can to develop Maye is wiser than committing too much to contend right away
^^^this
Right now, you have Maye on a rookie deal. If they believe he’s the real deal, it is time to push the chips to the center of the table.
They don’t have to do everything after year one. They did a lot this offseason and they’re not likely to compete this year. It’s not like the Texans after year one of Stroud, when he already looked like a top eight quarterback and they had more talent around him.
Probably the reason you’re broke.
I’m a Pats fan, but Diggs, Boutte and Douglas scare nobody. They need to double/triple down on the OL and WRs again next draft, then we can talk about “a sneaky good Pats passing game.” We’re nowhere near that, tho.
I mean, “sneaky good” means no one really notices that there are skilled players who are performing. Totally agree that this is the time for them to build. Helps that they’re in a really top heavy conference with a slew of bad teams to get practice against this season.
If they take the right steps forward, this team has a shot to become a real contender in the next couple years. Really all depends on Maye though.
Hollins will play more snaps than Boutte or Douglas.
Do itttttt
If only there were a disgruntled high-level offensive lineman on the trade market.
You’d need a crowbar to get Robert Kraft to open his wallet…so forget about him acquiring those premium priced players.
He just gave $51 million fully guaranteed to a player who’s never played even half of his team’s defensive snaps.
Since Kraft bought the team they have spent the LEAST amount of money in free agency. Last place.
OK. That doesn’t mean they never do it. That Milton Williams contract wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
They’re least likely to do it is what it means.
No, they’re still more likely to do it than a team like the Bengals or a team that doesn’t have the cap space or draft picks to do it.
Maybe at this time they are slightly more likely but their actions over the last 30 years have made it pretty clear they’re unlikely to spend money. Milton Williams is their highest paid player by AAV ever @ 26M and that’s not even close to league leaders.
He’s the second highest paid defensive tackle in football by both guarantees and average per year. Brady took less than he needed to for years, which throws things off. I’m not saying they’ve been a free spending team as far as competitive big market teams go, but the idea that they’re so cheap that they’re unlikely to compete for highly paid players doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. A 31 year overview only has so much to say about the present moment.
Brady took “less”, but he was never bottom half of the league or anything. His being a great football player and Belichick’s (along with the front office, which left before Brady even did) ability to get a ton of use out of role-players or cast-offs convinced Kraft that he didn’t need to spend money, either. He does, however, deserve credit for spending on his stadium, which isn’t cheap.
The Pats don’t pay out a ton for players, and their recent expenditure on Williams doesn’t undo the last twenty years. I do think that could change. Kraft doesn’t seem to like the idea that he’s a cheap owner, as alleged by fans (and even by Belichick himself). The Brady era is long gone by now, and Belichick’s management skills depreciated quickly without Ernie Adams, Scott Pioli, and/or Nick Caserio. The Pats might need to spend again (not blow money frivolously, mind you) to build a new foundation. I think that Kraft might open up slowly to that idea, he might not, but I think that it could happen.
Try to get mcclaurin. Make a call to Amari cooper. Try to trade for Something
McLaurin would be one thing, a true number one. But no sense in Cooper for them. They’re already betting on Diggs not going over the cliff. Cooper looks like he might already be there. Might as well look at the youngsters.
….
Go get Hendrickson or Parsons. The defense can get a pass rusher to excite the crowd.
Why bother? The crowd already paid to get in.
In home attendance last year, only the Broncos and Raiders had fewer fans, regardless of stadium size. This team needs to bring them back.
They’ll attract more fans when the team isn’t bottoming out completely. They don’t need a stunt acquisition.
Pressure on the QB is never a “stunt”. This team only had 28 sacks last year. Either guy can help their defense until the offense gets better.
They signed Milton Williams for that. He’s young and fits their timeline. They signed Harold Landry for that. He’s relatively cheap and has worked with Vrabel. They have Barmore coming back for that. Hendrickson doesn’t really fit their timeline. Parsons isn’t getting traded.
Youre right … we will see if Williams and Landry have good seasons. Landry reponds better for Vrabel.
Who caves first…Cincy, Dallas, or Washington?????
Cindy is known for not paying people. Dallas is known for overpaying at the last second. And Washington has new owners so they’re kind of a wild card.
My money is on Cincy.
“Caves” meaning trading their guy, or paying their guy?
I think TunaNoCrust sums up the teams well. Dallas I think is the surest bet to pay their player. Washington will probably offer McLaurin something similar to Hendrickson’s last extension, which essentially is kicking the can down the road. McLaurin might take it to get back on the field. Cincy wants a kings bounty in trade or an absolute lack of guarantees long term. I think if NE offers them a good deal, they take it.
Seriously…. the most pressing need is for an actual backup QB that can win some games if Maye gets injured…. right now they have a guy that can run a little but is inaccurate and is getting his wide outs killed……..
That will be available after the last cuts are made.
Good to see some teams not giving in to these guys. They’re already making multi millions………..just to play a game! It’s getting ridiculous.
I agree. And we are in the minority on this.
So we should put a cap on how much they’re allowed to make as individuals?
It’s too late now, Pandora’s box has been opened.
The point was really the next question, which would be do we wanna allow the owners to hoard the wealth for themselves instead of paying players?
The salary cap trends the same direction as revenue. Every time a new media deal is reached and more money is made you’ll see salary spikes.
Then stop watching pro football, BlackSundayz. I’m surprised to see you still on this website.
Go look up the amount of money an NFL owner makes simply by owning a team…… Ridiculous!
Stop watching professional football then, you wicked dummy