Report: Patriots have 'kicked the tires' on potential Metcalf trade
The New England Patriots have "kicked the tires" on potentially trading for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, a source told the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed.
The team is weighing the "ripple effects" of making a player they're unfamiliar with the highest-paid player on the team, per Callahan and Kyed.
Seattle has not openly made Metcalf available for trade, but he's entering the final season of the three-year, $72-million extension he signed in 2022. His cap hit for 2025 is set at $31.8 million, according to Over The Cap.
The 27-year-old has been in Seattle since the Seahawks selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft. He racked up 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 15 contests last season. The Ole Miss product earned a second-team All-Pro nomination in 2020.
New England has the most cap space in the league entering free agency and is looking to upgrade at wide receiver. The Patriots planned to pursue Tee Higgins until it was reported the Cincinnati Bengals planned to franchise tag the wideout, per Callahan and Kyed.
Only one wide receiver (DeMario Douglas) eclipsed 600 receiving yards for New England last season.