After striking out on signing a top wide receiver in free agency, there was a lot of concern surrounding the Patriots' ability to fill one of their biggest roster needs before the 2025 season. That prompted speculation about their potential involvement in a big-time trade for the WR1 they have been longing for, which included some interesting names like A.J. Brown and George Pickens.
Almost immediately, all suggestions surrounding a trade for Brown were shut down, especially after the Eagles won the Super Bowl, presumably putting him off limits. That essentially shifted Pickens to the top of the most likely candidates, as the Steelers were suspected to move on from the 24-year-old after trading for D.K. Metcalf.
The 2025 NFL Draft seemed like the time and place to get the deal done, with insiders reporting Pittsburgh was listening to calls about a possible trade. That inevitably didn't happen, and it took until nearly two weeks after the draft for Pickens to find a new home with the Cowboys, meaning the Patriots missed out on another solid weapon for Drake Maye to work with.
Or did they?
The Patriots made the right decsion not to engage in serious trade talks for George Pickens
Considering the goal this offseason was to improve the roster from top to bottom, especially the offense, to put Maye in a far better situation than he was during his rookie year, adding a player like Pickens would certainly fit. At just 24 years old, he has a long career ahead of him and has already impressed during his three-year career, working with far too many quarterbacks and still performing at a high level.
From the 2022 season, Pickens has recorded 174 receptions (averaging 16.3 YPC) for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns to easily become a quarterback's favorite target. His production would be welcomed in New England, joining the likes of Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas, but the Patriots might be better off without him.
There have been rumblings about some problematic behavior from Pickens during his time with the Steelers, most of which have earned him the label of a disgruntled receiver, and that's something Vrabel is hoping to avoid in the locker room moving forward.
On top of that, the Cowboys gave up a third- and fifth-round pick to acquire him, which isn't totally outrageous given that Pickens is a former first-rounder. However, the Patriots have made it clear they want to add more draft capital than get rid of it, so this wouldn't have been an ideal trade either.
Plus, it's essentially a one-year rental unless Dallas can work out an extension with him, which they haven't been too good at with their star players in recent years.
New England could have afforded it, but it seems as though Pickens doesn't fit the mold of what Vrabel wants to accomplish with the roster. Hopefully, this won't deter them from other impressive players who could become available, especially wide receivers, but we'll have to wait and see. They took a chance on Diggs, so they might be willing to take a risk if that works out.