The New England Patriots’ wide receiver situation remains a focal point as they scout potential targets, with Washington’s Terry McLaurin viewed as the marquee option if a deal materializes. The Patriots have the draft capital and cap space to pursue a trade but face an evolving market as teams balance value and needs.
McLaurin has long been one of Washington’s most productive playmakers, and he publicly pushed for a contract extension during training camp. A move for the former Buckeye would represent a high-upside upgrade for New England, given McLaurin’s established production and elite-level ceiling.
Yet the latest development from Washington works against that scenario. On Saturday morning, the Commanders activated McLaurin off the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List, signaling progress toward a new deal and reducing the immediate likelihood of a trade. Washington announced the activation in a post on X, indicating the team could be closing in on a new agreement with its No. 1 receiver.
McLaurin’s 2024 season was a standout, as he registered 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning All-Pro Second Team honors and a second Pro Bowl selection. Since being drafted in the third round in 2019, he has been one of the league’s most consistent and high-ceiling receivers, a profile the Patriots would value if a trade could be arranged.
For New England, the pursuit remains tempting but increasingly tempered by Washington’s current trajectory. The Commanders’ move to negotiate a new deal for McLaurin reduces the urgency to trade, and a potential deal would require careful alignment on compensation and cap space for both sides.
What to watch next
– Whether Washington and McLaurin finalize an extension in the near term or keep negotiations open.
– If another receiver surfaces as a more feasible trade target for the Patriots, given the evolving market and available capital.
– How New England might pivot if talks with Washington stall, including draft prospects or other trade avenues.
Bottom line: While the Patriots remain attentive to the wide receiver market and McLaurin’s situation, Washington’s activation of McLaurin from the PUP list signals a path toward a new contract, dampening the immediacy of a blockbuster trade but leaving the door open for later developments. A hopeful note for Patriots fans is that the team’s depth at receiver and strategic flexibility could still yield multiple avenues to bolster the position, whether through trades, free agency, or the draft. If new facts emerge, this could shift the balance quickly, but current signs favor continued patience on a McLaurin deal.