There is a lot of focus on the Patriots' wide receivers as the team prepares to begin training camp, primarily due to conflicting reports about Stefon Diggs' potential readiness (or lack thereof) for their Week 1 matchup with the Raiders. Despite recovering from a mid-season ACL injury, some insiders believe he will be suited up for the contest, while others claim he will start the year on the PUP list.
If he is unable to play early on, that could force the Patriots to look into their options to add another receiver to the roster. There are a few interesting names still unsigned at this point, like Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper. However, the Patriots are well-equipped to pull off a big-time trade, and their interest in securing a deal for Terry McLaurin remains.
The latest update regarding the status of the two-time Pro-Bowler's extension came from McLaurin himself, expressing frustration at the lack of communication with the Commanders to get a deal done since minicamp.
That creates an opportunity for the Patriots to get on the phone and inquire, which Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes they might do very soon.
There's no reason for the Patriots not to seriously explore a trade for Terry McLaurin
While discussing McLaurin's latest comments to the media this week, Breer revealed that he believes the Patriots would be very interested in making a trade for the consistent 1,000+ yard receiver.
He emphasized that it would require a significant effort to get a deal done, as well as a substantial extension to keep him on the team. But he would be an excellent addition for Drake Maye to work with in 2025 and beyond, even if he isn't necessarily the ideal age that they might want in another WR1.
"I think the Patriots would be very interested in this. There's a price point for all of it, and what would that mean? Obviously, he's not going to come here with an unresolved contract situation, so you'd be talking about a draft pick plus a contract.
He's a little older than people realize because he was a five-year college guy. He'll be 30 in September. Certainly, as far as what they're looking for -- from a person, a player, helping Drake Maye, etc. -- this guy checks every box."
Breer also added that he predicts the Commanders will try to get a deal done before training camp begins, as it makes little to no sense for them to move on from a player of McLaurin's caliber. But if they are unable to reach an agreement, there's reason to believe the Patriots can make an offer.
They have the means to pull off a deal that Washington would be hard pressed to refuse, especially if they don't envision a future with McLaurin on the team. He could become Maye's go-to receiver along with Stefon Diggs, giving the young quarterback an impressive receiver tandem to jumpstart his hopeful asscent to the top of the league.
It would be the first major move by the new Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf regime, which they have already expressed interest in making, as they still have around $60 million remaining in cap space for the upcoming season.
What better way to use that money than on a proven playmaker who could put the Patriots offense in untouchable territory, especially with others on the depth chart like rookie Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas?
That's the kind of offensive firepower they have needed and fans have longed for. If they could manage to assemble a cast of that magnitude in Maye's second season, there's plenty of reason to believe that the Patriots will be competing in the AFC much sooner than anyone anticipated or predicted.