Entering the offseason with league-high cap space and high draft picks puts Mike Vrabel and the Patriots in a good position to make significant strides in improving their roster for the 2025 season. Most conversations about who they might throw cash at in free agency have been about offensive talent, leaving the defense to be the top get come draft time.
However, trades have continued to be proposed for both sides of the team, many of which are for some of the best talent in the league right now.
That's how Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt has somehow been put into the mix, as the Patriots have long needed a dominating pass rusher, but even more so since they traded Matthew Judon last year.
The presumption has been they will use their fourth overall pick on the best of the incoming class, Penn State's Abdul Carter, or try to sign a suitable talent in free agency. But the idea of trading for Watt has sparked the intrigue of some fans.
There are a few problems with that idea, though, that make even the hypothetical discussion of this happening essentially pointless.
There is no reason to entertain the possibility of the Patriots trading for T.J. Watt
In theory, the Patriots have the means to trade for a player of Watt's caliber and could certainly benefit from adding him to their defensive line. But the problem with even entertaining the idea is that it's hard to imagine the Steelers will allow him to become available when his contract expires after the 2025 season.
In fact, it's difficult to believe he will even make it to free agency, as he will likely receive a contract extension this offseason.
That makes the debate about whether the Patriots could acquire him or what they would have to give up to make a deal happen entirely pointless. They're not in a position to make calls about these kinds of trades when there's close to zero chance of it happening.
The new regime needs to take advantage of what they have and how they can use it to add the talent they need rather than exploring DOA trade ideas like this one for Watt.
There are high-quality free agents they could look into instead. They are not necessarily comparable to Watt, but they are still worthy and talented enough to dramatically improve their pass rush for next season. Some of those names include DeMarcus Lawrence, Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, and Chase Young.
Or they could go the expected route and select their next pass rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft. But Watt must be eliminated from anyone's mind as a potential target.