It's no secret that the Patriots were going to pursue some of the top available wide receiver free agents this offseason and were willing to pay what it took to get them in the door. Their main target was expected to be Bengals' Tee Higgins, but that hope was squashed once it was announced they were planning to franchise tag him to get more time to work out an extension.
They were then given the opportunity to speak with players who were set to be traded, like Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel. It was reported that neither was on Mike Vrabel's radar due to scheme fit or other issues. This was a good thought, considering Samuel has since been traded to the Commanders and other players have become available.
Because of that, the Patriots have been connected to pending free agent Chris Godwin, who is coming off a season-ending injury, so he's not the ideal candidate. On top of that, more names have been added to the pool of possibilities as of Wednesday morning, when guys like Tyler Lockett and Christian Kirk were released.
If neither are what the Patriots are looking for, hearing that the Seahawks are open to trade talks for D.K. Metcalf might be the move.
#Seahawks star WR DK Metcalf has requested a trade from Seattle and the team has decided to explore it, per me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2025
There is likely to be significant interest in the Seattle star, and both sides will dig into it. A big-time WR who may be on the move. pic.twitter.com/5U40T159EX
The Patriots have been gifted a golden opportunity to trade for a clear WR1
Although he has already stated he wouldn't necessarily want to play for the Patriots, there's no reason for Vrabel and Co. not to inquire about what it would take to trade for Metcalf this offseason.
Because their options for that caliber of receiver are far more limited than just a month ago, especially with Higgins presumably off the board, Metcalf would fit the role perfectly and give Drake Maye the kind of player to elevate the offense immediately.
The 27-year-old has been one of the more impressive receivers since he was drafted in the second round in 2019, the infamous draft Bill Belichick chose to take N'Keal Harry over far better talent, Metcalf included. In the six years since he's been with the Seahawks, he's recorded 438 receptions for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns, leading to two Pro Bowl honors.
Adding him to what the Patriots hope to put together for the offense this year just makes sense, especially since he would be working with Josh McDaniels and Maye. This puts the quarterback on the map right away and Metcalf would elevate the offense into a competitive group once again, which might be intriguing enough to agree to the trade.
It might all come down to price and if the Patriots are willing to pay, plus how much say the Seahawks are willing to give Metcalf in determining his next team. Reports have said he wants to go to a contender, which the Patriots aren't considered right now, so that might give Metcalf reason to decline a trade, but we'll have to wait and see.
If he doesn't come to New England, we have to hope he doesn't go to a team in the AFC East and definitely not the Chiefs.