Reporter reveals 'likely' resolution of trade hype surrounding Patriots

Almost immediately after New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf suggested on Monday that he could trade either a first- or second-round draft pick for an impact player, some linked New England with Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson and Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

A subsequent report revealed that the Patriots "are one of the teams" that have called the Bengals about Hendrickson's availability. However, Patriots reporter Chad Graff of The Athletic shared on Monday that New England isn't "likely to make a big trade before the season begins" next month.

"The group of edge-rushers has had some ups and downs, but the Patriots want to see what they have, especially opposite Harold Landry with (Keion White), (K’Lavon Chaisson) and (rookie Bradyn Swinson) all competing for reps," Graff explained. "Their wide receiver corps isn’t going to scare many teams and likely needs reinforcements next offseason, but giving a 30-year-old receiver like McLaurin $30M a year seems unwise even with plenty of cap space to burn."

McLaurin reportedly wants "parts" of the five-year, $150M deal that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf back in March. On Monday, ESPN's Ben Solak said that a training-camp visit with the Commanders left him believing the McLaurin situation will end with the two sides agreeing to "a compromise extension before Week 1."

Meanwhile, Hendrickson and the Bengals are reportedly "in close agreement on the total average annual salary and the length" of an extension but haven't yet come to terms on "secured salary after the first season." According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, "Cincinnati has told interested teams it is looking for a young defensive player and a future first-round pick in a trade package" for Hendrickson.

Graff noted that acquiring either McLaurin or Hendrickson "makes more sense for a team closer to competing for a Super Bowl." The Patriots are in the middle of a needed roster rebuild coming off a 4-13 season.

"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 added about a possible blockbuster trade on Monday, per Karen Guregian of MassLive. "But if there’s something we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it." 

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Patriots at +115 betting odds to make the playoffs this season. Such forecasts may show why Graff and others seem to believe New England isn't a realistic landing spot for either Hendrickson or McLaurin this summer.