FOXBOROUGH – Eliot Wolf wants it known the Patriots are going to be players in the trade market.
The Patriots executive VP of player personnel met with the media Monday and said he was open to making deals if the right situation presented itself.
He later doubled down on that, saying he was on board with trading a first or second round pick if it meant acquiring the desired player.
And, Wolf also indicated he had already been in touch with the 31 other NFL teams to see what might shake out.
Was all of that Wolf’s read-between-the-lines way of saying star wideout Terry McLaurin will be heading to the Patriots fairly soon?
Or, was all of that nothing more than verbal Fluffer Nutter?
Even with Wolf’s grandiose proclamations, a McLaurin trade still falls under the heading of wishful thinking.
In short, Wolf essentially gave a lot of lip service Monday during his media session. It was a pile of posturing.
He said what Patriots fans want to hear with respect to possible trade target McLaurin. You can lump Micah Parsons and or Trey Hendrickson, who are locked in contract disputes with their respective teams, in the mix.
Wolf, however, also parsed his words very carefully when talking about the possibility of consummating a whopper deal. There was little to no urgency in his words.
“If something presents itself, I think those things are often a lot more complicated than the fans and some others like to make you believe,” Wolf said, immediately after saying he would “absolutely” be open to making a trade. “But if there’s something we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it.”
So the Patriots are “open to it.” That’s like saying you’re open to trying anchovies even if you can’t stand the sight of them. Whether it’s true or not, the base is covered.
The hope would be that Wolf was sincere, and will be aggressive if McLaurin or whoever becomes available.
The Patriots have the most cap space in the league (nearly $60 million) at the moment. Money shouldn’t be an issue or constraint.
With the surplus of cash, the claim he’d be willing to part with top draft compensation, and several veterans who are prime candidates to be included in any trade (Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings) the Patriots should be the leader in the clubhouse to land McLaurin if the receiver and Commanders fail to reach agreement on a contract, and trade becomes more of a reality.
Given the Patriots standing, however, it might not make sense for Wolf & Co. to swing for the fences, at least not yet in their view.
With a team that’s in the middle of a significant turnover, a team that’s rebuilding, might the Patriots be saving for next year? Are they looking more big picture, as opposed to the present?
“It’s a big picture view,” Wolf answered. “Also, we have the quarterback on a rookie contract. I certainly think we spent a lot of money in free agency this year. I don’t think it’s indicative of where we think we are as a team.
“Again, like Mike (Vrabel) said yesterday, this is Year 1 of this program, and we’re hopeful moving forward that we can make some progress this year.”
They’ve already shown signs of progress. They look like they found gold with running back TreVeyon Henderson, their second round draft pick.
They look like they found a real gem in undrafted wide receiver Efton Chism III.
Free agent additions Mack Hollins, Robert Spillane and cornerback Carlton Davis III, if he’s healthy and participating, also look like great free agent pick-ups.
All of which is a credit to the decision-makers.
As Wolf pointed out, they spent money in free agency. They actually overspent in many instances (Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III, Stefon Diggs). But are they willing to go the extra mile?
Are they willing to fix the holes?
If McLaurin does truly become available, there’s no excuse. The Patriots need to pounce, and not leave until they make that trade happen. He would greatly impact the offense, which is what they need. That’s the type of splash that’s needed.
But along with that, how about fixing the offensive line in earnest?
The line has been a major issue for a half-dozen years or so. And it’s hard to have much confidence with how things have transpired during training camp.
Currently, left guard is as unsettled as it was three weeks ago. Center also appears shaky with Garrett Bradbury struggling. As for left tackle, the Patriots seem content to sink or swim with rookie Will Campbell, who’s been up and down all camp.
That unsettled mess doesn’t exactly put second-year quarterback Drake Maye in the most optimal position to succeed.
Where were they when the Kansas City Chiefs decided to trade Joe Thuney? He would have been the perfect guard to put next to Campbell on the left side.
If Wolf & Co. truly believe this team has a chance to make the playoffs, and if he meant doing “what’s best for the team,” they need to put their money – and their draft picks – where their mouth is.
“If there’s a player out there we feel can help us, and it cost that (a first or second round pick),” Wolf said, “then we would consider doing that.”
Consider doing it? Where the sense of urgency?
Forget about considering. Make it happen.
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