As training camp begins across the league, several players remain without contract extensions, leaving their immediate and long-term futures uncertain. The most notable names continue to be Bengals' pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and Commanders' receiver Terry McLaurin.
Both are presumed to be on the Patriots' radar since they still have an estimated $60 million in cap space and could certainly utilize a boost to either position. However, there's a good chance that other teams are seriously considering a trade if either player becomes available, which could lead to a nightmare scenario for New England.
That would be the case if CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin's prediction comes true, as he listed top landing spots for McLaurin and suggested the Jets as one of them. Although the Patriots might have an improved roster in all aspects, which should make it easy to take down their longtime rival, adding McLaurin to the division is not a situation we'd want to see come to fruition.
If Terry McLaurin is traded to the Jets, the Patriots will have a far more difficult path to the playoffs
Because the ongoing negotiations with McLaurin will dominate headlines until it's resolved one way or another, there will be teams to inevitably monitor that could express interest in getting a trade done, even the Patriots.
But that could include a team like the Jets, as Benjamin suggests, especially since the receiver has a connection to a coach on the new staff.
"Like the Raiders, the Jets aren't necessarily angling to contend in 2025 as much as successfully transition to a new culture and regime. They have money to spare, however, with close to $30 million in remaining cap space, plus a relatively dire need for pass-catching weapons opposite Garrett Wilson, who's now locked in with a deal of his own.
As a bonus, new quarterback Justin Fields shares an Ohio State background with McLaurin, and Jets passing game coordinator Scott Turner was previously McLaurin's play-caller in Washington."
The familiarity with the Jets' coach would certainly seem like a reason that McLaurin might not turn down a trade to the team, if given the choice. That's not what Patriots fans will want to hear nor see if the Commanders decide to trade him, however, even if the receiver doesn't end up in New England.
The defense having to play against a player of McLaurin's caliber twice a season isn't ideal, especially when the Jets already have a receiver like Garrett Wilson and a new quarterback, Justin Fields, to prepare for. Although it wouldn't be the end of the world, it would put a strain on the defense and make the matchups with the Jets far more difficult, which is not what the Patriots need in a season that could result in a playoff push.