FOXBORO — If the Patriots are looking to boost their roster in a major way before the season begins, two top-tier candidates requested trades late this week.
Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin and Cowboys edge defender Micah Parsons both want out due to contract quarrels. Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked Friday if the Patriots would be interested if the Commanders or Cowboys honored their requests.
Vrabel said he wouldn’t discuss players on other teams.
“Let’s focus on the ones that are here that we’re working with,” Vrabel said. “We see all these things happen in the National Football League, whether it’s the off-season, whether it’s before the season starts. Everybody’s working with different situations. So those respective players and respective teams will focus on their situations, and we’ll focus on ours.”
The Patriots should at least inquire about both players. McLaurin would transform the Patriots’ wide receiver room into one of the best in the NFL, and the addition of Parsons would turn the defense into a top-5 unit on paper.
With the most cap space in the NFL, Vrabel did acknowledge the Patriots have flexibility if any potential moves present themselves but said he’s focused on his current roster.
The Patriots currently have Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kendrick Bourne, rookie Kyle Williams, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Efton Chism, John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb on their 90-man roster. McLaurin would slot into a starting role alongside Diggs and Douglas if acquired via trade.
McLaurin, 29, has put up over 1,000 receiving yards in his last five seasons. He has 460 career catches for 6,379 yards with 38 touchdowns in six years since being selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He’s been a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Commanders. He’s in the midst of a three-year, $68.2 million contract extension but wants a new deal. Most top wide receivers
Parsons, 26, is one of the top players in the NFL as a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. He hasn’t received a contract extension since being selected 12th overall out of Penn State by the Cowboys in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys pass rusher has registered at least 12 sacks in each of his four seasons. The Patriots’ top edge defenders are Harold Landry, Keion White and K’Lavon Chaisson. Truman Jones, Anfernee Jennings, Bradyn Swinson and Elijah Ponder fill out the rest of the group.
In the NFL, superstar players are rarely traded even after requesting trades. Players typically use a trade request as further leverage to get an upgraded contract.
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