The long-awaited trade for wide receiver AJ Brown is finally official and over with for the Patriots, but that doesn't mean they're completely out of the woods regarding upgrading their roster, with their lack of sufficient pass rush considered next on the board.
That has them on the short list of teams to trade for players like Cardinals' Josh Sweat or Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux, and either would be the kind of addition their defense needs ahead of a very telling 2026 season.
At the same time, there is some suggestion that they wait to put a trade together closer to this year's deadline, specifically for Maxx Crosby, whom the Raiders are predicted to shop again if he performs at a high level during the first half of the season.
Because the Ravens backed out of their agreement for the 28-year-old due to a lack of information about his knee injury, the Raiders reportedly want to see how Crosby performs at the start of the season and hope that will reignite trade talks from other teams.
One of those teams might be the Patriots, at least according to NFL insider Dan Graziano, especially since they were rumored to be one of the many on the phone with the Raiders before his eventual trade earlier this offseason.
There is a good chance that the Patriots will inquire about another blockbuster trade ahead of this year's deadline
Obviously, passing on players like Sweat and Thibodeaux would be a hold move for the Patriots' front office, especially if they are ready to be dealt for a mid-round pick. But if they go down that path, it might be because they want to inquire about Crosby again.
That's what Graziano recently hinted at when discussing Crosby's future in the league, naming the Patriots as one of the teams that might need a player of his caliber if they are indeed a contender again this fall.
"I wouldn't expect Crosby trade talk to heat up again until he gets on a field and shows he's healthy. And from everything I've been told, that could be in August or later. Crosby might stick with the Raiders all year at this point, but if he's going to get traded at all, we're probably looking at something in-season ahead of the deadline.
If a team such as the Cowboys, Bills, Bears or Patriots finds itself in contention and in need of an impact pass rusher, things could get interesting here again."
Based on how they've conducted themselves this offseason, it's fair to assume the Patriots will be among the best in the AFC at some point this year, and it would be unsurprising if their pass rush remains a weak point.
If they don't manage to add another player to their defense before Week 1, all eyes will be on Harold Landry III and Dre'Mont Jones, as the pair are expected to be the leading forces to get to opposing quarterbacks.
It's a lot of pressure on two that have historically not been game-wreckers, but if that's how the Patriots decide to go into the season, there is a pathway for Crosby to be on their radar by the trade deadline.
As we saw with the deal with the Ravens, it will cost a pretty penny to get the 5-time Pro Bowler in the door, maybe a little cheaper now that his knee injury has become more public. Regardless, if Mike Vrabel and Co. feel they're one piece away from winning a Super Bowl, it would seem predictable that they would go all-in for a player like Crosby as soon as possible.
It would be a lot to give up for a team that has consistently talked about valuing draft picks and building a young core. But winning a Super Bowl is the main objective at hand, so if acquiring Crosby almost ensures they win a seventh Lombardi Trophy, we'll likely see them actively pursuing him later this year.
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