The Patriots have needed a game-changing wide receiver for many years now, even going back to before Julian Edelman retired after the 2020 season. The new regime led by Mike Vrabel understood the importance of getting that caliber of player on the team and chose to sign Stefon Diggs, who immediately becomes the WR1 for Drake Maye this upcoming season.
While there are some concerns about his readiness for Week 1 due to coming off a season abruptly ended by an ACL injury, he has been good to go for training camp and all signs point to his readiness for the first game against the Raiders.
However, with an estimated $60 million in cap space still available and the desire to assemble the best possible offense, the Patriots still have room to add even more talent to the offense if they have the right opportunity.
Fortunately, that appears to have happened on Thursday night, as Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin has formally requested a trade after a drawn-out battle for an extension.
Terry McLaurin requested a trade, as @Schultz_Report also reported. pic.twitter.com/USLMPGiPwt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2025
It is a situation that Patriots fans have been closely following this offseason, as it looked like McLaurin could be on his way out ahead of the season opener. The Patriots are in a good position to get a trade done, and they might want to explore that further now that the 29-year-old wants out of Washington.
The Patriots have the means to get a trade done with the Commanders as soon as possible
Although this could certainly be an age-old tactic by McLaurin to force the Commanders into giving him the kind of contract he wants and deserves, there's also a good chance that he really does want to be traded. The Patriots should be a team that seriously inquires about a deal.
They can immediately afford to pay his current contract while also offering him the extension that he is looking for and put the receiving corps over the top for Drake Maye in 2025 and beyond. Adding McLaurin to a room already led by Diggs, rookie Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas would be the best wide receiver room the Patriots have had in a long time and immediately make New England a team defenses fear.
McLaurin has proven to be the caliber of talent that any team would want, so he will surely pique a lot of interest from teams around the league. As a repeat 1,000+ yard player, the Patriots would be lucky to add him to their lineup, and Josh McDaniels would have a field day working with a player of his caliber.
Getting a deal done won't be cheap, but Mike Vrabel and Co. have already made it clear that they're not willing to continue the pattern Bill Belichick became known for over the years and will dish out the big contracts when they feel it is beneficial to the team.
That's what it will require to get McLaurin in the door, and there's no reason not to seriously explore what it would take to get a deal done.