The 2026 NFL offseason has been filled with big-time trades that typically don't happen multiple times in a matter of weeks, but the urgency to assemble a Super Bowl-ready roster is apparent across the league.
It started with what most believed would be the biggest trade of the offseason when the Raiders sent Maxx Crosby to the Ravens, only for that to be shut down less than 24 hours later. But eventually, the Patriots acquired A.J. Brown for a first-round pick, and right before that, the Rams somehow pulled off the deal of the century by trading for Myles Garrett.
That has many wondering what other blockbuster moves could happen before the trade deadline this fall, with Patriots fans dreaming big now that Eliot Wolf and Co. were willing to give up valuable trade capital to elevate their offense to a new level.
There's a good chance they could do that further, maybe as soon as this upcoming season, or they can look ahead to a budding superstar predicted to demand a trade in a couple of years, which looks more likely than not, considering the team he plays for and their failure to succeed.
It would be even more crucial if New England are unable to find a reliable tight end to succeed Hunter Henry, assuming he won't still be on the team in two years.
The Patriots need to keep a close eye on a potential trade target on the Cardinals
After the list of trades that happened this offseason, along with the massive move of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the NBA from the Bucks to the Heat this past weekend, Garrett Podell of CBS Sports came up with a list of five NFL players who might seek a similar deal in the next few years.
Among the most intriguing for the Patriots was tight end Trey McBride, a rising star in Arizona who would be the perfect weapon for Drake Maye to work with after Henry is either released or retires.
Podell predicts that McBride will demand a trade as soon as the 2028 offseason, assuming that the Cardinals continue to be at the bottom of not only their division but the league, and don't find the right starting quarterback to lead them into the future.
They should be in a good position to do that if they continue to do a lot more losing than winning, but recent history across the league suggests it's much easier to select the wrong future quarterback than the right one, and the Cardinals could certainly do that.
That appeared to be the case with Kyler Murray, whom they released earlier this offseason. They awarded him a massive contract extension, yet injuries and less-than-ideal performances ultimately led to the tough decision to move on.
If that continues, and the division doesn't get any easier, as Podell states, it wouldn't be at all surprising to hear McBride want out and to go to a contender, and the Patriots could very easily, and should be, that team.
It wouldn't be cheap, especially if he continues on the path he's been on to become one of the best tight ends in the league. But given how much Josh McDaniels loves to use the position, and given that they had struggled to find a playmaker after Rob Gronkowski retired until they signed Henry, then acquiring McBride is a no-brainer.
At the very least, it's something they should monitor over the next two years and maybe even inquire sooner rather than later, because a team in desperation mode, which the Cardinals will presumably be in soon, will move superstars for draft capital.
That could be a win for the Patriots.
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