The opportunity for the New England Patriots to grab a new number-one wide receiver may have presented itself on Wednesday.
According to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Seattle Seahawks star wideout D.K. Metcalf has requested a trade. A Seattle source said the team will “do what’s best for the Seahawks,” but would explore potential trades.
It’s no secret that the Patriots desperately need better receivers to support 22-year-old quarterback Drake Maye. Metcalf, who has 6,324 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns thus far in his six-year career, may present a better option than anyone on the free-agent market this spring.
Following the news of Metcalf’s trade request, USA Today’s Jacob Camenker designated six teams as potential “landing spots” for the two-time Pro Bowler. The Patriots were one of Camenker’s two “best fits,” along with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“No Patriots wide receiver had more than DeMario Douglas’ 621 yards last season. The team will be focused on adding a top-tier wide-out to aid Drake Maye as the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft seeks to develop into a franchise quarterback,” Camenker wrote.
“Metcalf is just 27 years old and would fit New England’s window for playoff contention. His great physical skillset should intrigue the Patriots, who have a league-high $127 million in cap space available for the 2025 NFL offseason.”
Entering the final year of his current contract, Metcalf is accompanied by a cap hit of $31.9 million–definitely no small pill for any team to swallow. But no team has more flexibility to take on that money than New England, and that should be an advantage in potential negotiations.
It was already likely that the Patriots were going to check on Metcalf in their talent search. But the wideout’s request could help sway the pendulum towards a deal getting done, so Wednesday’s news could prove monumental for New England.
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