Have the New England Patriots already been eliminated as a potential landing spot for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf?
On Friday, NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah told ESPN's Pat McAfee, "Everybody in the league thinks that DK Metcalf is going to New England."
However, on Sunday, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer said Metcalf "wants to play for a contender in a warm-weather city." New England seems like neither of those.
New England's winters tend to be cold, snowy and windy. In January, the Patriots hired new head coach Mike Vrabel, who won 2021 Coach of the Year with the Tennessee Titans. Still, revamping a club that went 4-13 in 2024 may take time.
Breer added Metcalf wanted to go to the Houston Texans, but that seems unlikely after the club dealt a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for WR Christian Kirk on Thursday.
If the Patriots offer Metcalf a massive extension, would that change his mind? According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the 27-year-old wideout wants a deal worth $30M annually.
The Patriots are flush with cap space. Spotrac estimates they have $125.78M in cap room, the most in the NFL.
Trading for Metcalf and extending him could carry risk for the Patriots, considering he's coming off an underwhelming year. In 15 games in 2024, he had 66 receptions for 992 yards and a career-low five touchdown catches.
But New England quarterback Drake Maye needs a No. 1 WR. Pro Football Reference credited the Patriots with 1,701 yards after the catch in 2024, which tied for 26th in the NFL.
If the Patriots can't land Metcalf, they should consider targeting other wideouts on the trade block, perhaps Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers or Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams.
