NFL Rumors: Patriots Looked Into Potential Trade For Star Wideout

The Patriots apparently are exploring a variety of avenues as they try to improve Drake Maye’s supporting cast.

New England reportedly could have interest in both Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin if the pair of impending free-agent receivers actually reach the open market. But if Higgins and Godwin are retained by the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, respectively, the Patriots could look at the trade market for reinforcements.

In that scenario, DK Metcalf could be a name to keep an eye on for the Foxboro Faithful.

“The Patriots prefer signing Higgins or Godwin over a trade for another No. 1 receiver for the simple fact they would rather sign someone into their $127.7 million worth of cap space instead of surrendering draft capital in a deal and significant cap space,” the Boston Herald reported Sunday. “The front office has nonetheless kicked the tires on a potential trade for Seattle’s DK Metcalf, per source, while it weighs the ripple effects of making a player they’re not familiar with, like Metcalf, the new highest-paid player on the team.”

Metcalf, who has a base salary of $18 million for the 2025 season, can become an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming campaign. That would be a hefty sum to pay for a player — albeit highly productive — who could bolt after only one season. New England probably would need some sort of pre-trade assurance from Metcalf that he’s at least open to the idea of a new contract with the Patriots.

Such a commitment might not be likely either, as Metcalf in late January called Foxboro, Mass., “not a desirable place” to call his NFL home. Thus, the Patriots’ reported look into a potential Metcalf trade might prove to be nothing more than due diligence.