N’Keal Harry’s Instagram post strongly suggests he’s done with Patriots

The New England Patriots were always expected to pursue an X receiver this offseason. After bypassing several options in free agency, the Patriots acquired DeVante Parker from the Miami Dolphins.

The 29-year-old Parker epitomizes everything New England’s wide receiver corps lacked last season: size, length, and ability to track and come down with contested passes.

With Parker taking over No. 1 duties alongside Jakobi Meyers and Kendrick Bourne, with Nelson Agholor serving as a sneaky-good fourth option, that pushes N’Keal Harry farther down the depth chart.

With Kristian Wilkerson and Ty Montgomery also in contention for snaps, the Patriots have no real reason to keep Harry. His departure has felt inevitable, but it’s taken longer than expected to materialize.

There’s no reason to worry, however. In a recent Instagram story, Harry indirectly confirmed he’s not at offseason workouts.

Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry isn’t participating in OTAs.

Unless it underwent a complete renovation since last season ended, that looks nothing like Gillette Stadium.

That should be just about all the evidence we need. With Mac Jones working with his entire collection of receivers this week – including Parker, Bourne, Meyers and Agholor – Harry is nowhere to be found.

If there was any hope of a potential redemption story, it would have started with Harry showing up to (voluntary) OTAs. That would have at least indicated he was motivated to salvage his future with the team.

The former first-round pick’s absence speaks volumes, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone. Over three seasons, Harry’s played 33 of a possible 49 regular-season games while making just 18 starts. Despite playing in a lousy WR corps for most of his career, he’s managed just 47 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Harry has had “positive dialogue” with the Patriots about securing a trade for the 24-year-old. Seems like a matter of when, not if, Harry leaves New England. We wouldn’t expect a deal to materialize until after the draft, but stranger things have happened.

Harry requested a trade through his agent before training camp last year, but Belichick predictably refused to comply. The tough-love response initially seemed to strike a chord in Harry, who put together the finest offseason of his young career.

Of course, that momentum came to a screeching halt after Harry suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason. Though he played 12 games, he logged more than two targets in just two of them and his lasting memory came when he muffed a punt in a must-win game vs Buffalo.

It would be best for everyone involved if this relationship ended. The sooner, the better because Harry would definitely benefit from joining his eventual new team as soon as possible since he’ll be learning a new system.

In the meantime, Harry will continue waking up to this gorgeous view.

Here’s why Patriots would likely have to trade N’Keal Harry to get rid of him

The New England Patriots are more likely to trade N'Keal Harry than release him given it would save the team more cap space.