The New England Patriots have a wide receiver on their radar should he become available during training camp, per Albert Breer with Sports Illustrated.
During an appearance on NBC Sports Boston, the NFL insider suggested the Washington Commanders’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin “checks every box” the Patriots are looking for this offseason.
“I think the Patriots would be very interested in this,” Breer said. “There’s a price point for all of it, and what would that mean? Obviously, he’s not going to come here with an unresolved contract situation, so you’d be talking about a draft pick plus a contract.
“He’s a little older than people realize because he was a five-year college guy. He’ll be 30 in September. Certainly, as far as what they’re looking for — from a person, a player, helping Drake Maye, etc. — this guy checks every box.”
Terry McLaurin is on the final season of his deal
McLaurin is reportedly frustrated with how contract talks are going with Washington before he is set to play on the final season of a three-year $68.2 million contract extension he signed in 2022.
He’s coming off his fifth season in a row of amassing 1,000+ receiving yards in a single season. He recorded 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2024, helping to lead the Commanders to an NFC Championship Game appearance in Jayden Daniels’ rookie season at quarterback.
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While Breer thinks McLaurin would be a fine candidate for New England, he cautioned the Patriots fan base from getting too excited at the possibility of seeing McLaurin catch balls from Drake Maye in the upcoming season.
“There hasn’t been much progress because there hasn’t been much talk between the sides,” Breer said of communication between McLaurin and the Commanders’ front office. “And I think that’s why Terry felt compelled to say what he said publicly.
“This is a guy who’s been a team captain for a long time (with) exemplary character and all of that. My anticipation is the Commanders are going to take a swing at getting something done with him over the course of the next week, just because it makes too much sense for both sides.”
The Patriots have veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs working with Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas. McLaurin would immediately improve the receiver corps in New England.
The team has the cash to pay McLaurin in any new deal. Per Spotrac, the Patriots have over $61 million yet to spend for 2025, giving the team the most cap space in the league.
