The 2025 preseason is right around the corner, and most teams, like the Patriots, are preparing for the season ahead with the roster they have. But that doesn't mean there aren't some big moves left to be made, especially when big-name players, like Cowboys' elite pass rusher Micah Parsons, abruptly demand a trade with a thank-you letter sent to Dallas fans on social media.
Usually, it wouldn't even be worth it for New England fans to entertain the idea of potentially trading for someone of Parsons' caliber. But the new regime, led by Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf, has left all opportunities on the table, with their estimated $60 million remaining cap space leaving the door open for a blockbuster move.
So, with Parsons demanding a trade after extension talks with the Cowboys apparently fell through, Patriots fans have shifted their focus to getting the former Defensive Player of the Year on the team, with some trying to connect the dots in any way possible.
One example of this is Parsons asking for Drake Maye's number after a game of ping pong during the offseason, which has now been posted all over social media since the trade demand was made public on Friday.
Maye beat Parsons 2-0 in a best of three, and 11-1 in the second game.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) February 6, 2025
“First game he gave me a little challenge,” Maye said. “Second game was about what I thought.” https://t.co/lTKybWkgow pic.twitter.com/CV1GO20R9D
While it's certainly an interesting tidbit to look back on now that Parsons might become available, despite the Cowboys claiming they have no intention of trading him, it doesn't necessarily mean that the Patriots will make an offer, nor does it mean that Parsons would agree to a trade to New England if given the chance to choose.
The connection between Micah Parsons and the Patriots offers an interesting look into a possible trade, but...
Because the Cowboys have run into this issue with other players looking for extensions in recent years, most believe this is a tactic by Parsons to force their hand. In the past, it has worked with players like CeeDee Lamb, who signed one of the league's highest receiver contracts just last year.
Parsons is likely looking to accomplish the same thing, which aligns with the Cowboys reportedly not even entertaining the idea of trading him. That shouldn't deter the Patriots, though, as they have the draft capital and cap space to afford to make the move.
At the very least, they should inquire about his availability and the return Dallas is hoping to get if they do ship him off. Then they'll have to determine if he is the right fit for what they're trying to build with the team, and then decide if making a substantial offer makes sense.
If he were the only player that was possibly going to become available, it would be easy to suggest they go all in. However, Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin also demanded a trade earlier this week, and he is another player that should most certainly be on the Patriots' radar.
It won't be an easy decision for Vrabel and Co. to make, and at this point, monitoring the situation between both players will be crucial. There's a good chance that Parsons will be intrigued by what is happening in Foxboro, now that Maye is the franchise quarterback, Vrabel is the head coach, and they added some big-time names in free agency to the defense.
We'll have to wait and see, even if patience is a virtue.