All the chatter surrounding the Patriots upgrading their receiving corps continues to revolve around a possible trade for AJ Brown. While most believe nothing will happen until June 1, given that the Eagles would be off the hook for over $20 million in extra dead cap, there's still a chance they will decide to keep him around for another season.
If that's what inevitably happens, the Patriots need to keep their options open, and one of those players should be George Pickens. Although he was franchise tagged early in the offseason, it has already been made clear that he won't attend any training camp until an extension is signed, and that just got a whole lot more difficult for Dallas.
The Seahawks beat them to the punch by extending Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.8 million contract with $120 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. He will now make over $42 million a season, which now the Cowboys will be on the hook for in an extension with Pickens.
They might not be interested in that kind of deal, especially when you look at how willing they were to move on from Micah Parsons last season, who had become a franchise staple. And if that's the decision they make, the Patriots should pounce on the opportunity.
George Pickens’ contract demands could open the door for the Patriots
Although there's a fair argument to make that Pickens shouldn't be in that same ballpark as Smith-Njigba, that likely won't stop him from trying to get that kind of salary. Whether he gets close to it is worth monitoring, but it could be what separates him from an extension in Dallas or elsewhere.
The Patriots are unlikely to pay that much for any receiver, too, but they could be willing to pay in the $35 million range, just as they were reportedly close to in a trade offer for Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 offseason.
Given that Pickens is younger and arguably a better receiver than him, it might be fair to believe they'd be willing to make that kind of offer to him if he becomes available.
At just 25 years old, he recorded his best season with the Cowboys last year to really cement himself as a true WR1, logging 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. It helped him earn his first Pro Bowl honors and put a lot of the rumors about his tenure with the Steelers to rest, at least for the time being.
That's the kind of player Drake Maye could benefit from having on the roster, and if it costs everything and the kitchen sink to get a deal done, the Patriots should seriously consider it, especially if it would mean Pickens would be on the team sooner than June 1.