As Some Pro Bowl Talent Available on the Trade Market, Eliot Wolf Lets it be Known the Patriots are 'Absolutely' Open for Business

Anthony Nesmith. Shutterstock Images.

Throughout the ages, there have been classic philosophical questions that scholars have debated. "Nature vs. Nuture." "Guns vs. Butter." "Collectivism vs. Individualism." "DC vs. Marvel." And so on.

And few such arguments have caused more angst than the classic, "Win Now vs. Build for the Future" debate, which has raged across all sports over the last century-plus. And it's only gotten more heated during the Salary Cap Era. Essentially, whether to mortgage your future for the here and now because tomorrow never actually comes, or go the delayed gratification route, be fiscally responsible, and expect your fanbase to stay patient while you build something sustainable. 

Speaking personally, I prefer the Tony Stark approach. "Is it too much to ask for both?"

It's very possible the Patriots are doing exactly that. After filling their shopping cart in Free Agency and spending the most money any team ever has, they then loaded up on rookies, with no less than 11 draft picks and some promising UDFA like Efton Chism III, who look to be ready to make an impact in Week 1. 

But what's making the news today is Eliot Wolf announcing they're far from done adding talent:

"We’re talking to all 31 other teams and trying to do what’s best for us. If something presents itself, I think those things are often a lot more complicated than the fans and some others like to make it believe. But if there’s something that we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it.” 

Would he be willing to part with a 2nd round pick or even a 1st to make the team better?"

"Sure. Just doing what's best for the team. If we feel there's a player out there who can help us, and it costs that, then we'd consider doing it." 

You can just dismiss this as nothing more than GM Speak. A veteran personnel guy knowing enough to keep all his options open. Were it not for a few factors that make this scenario entirely plausible. First, there are players on the market who would positively fill areas of need for this team. And are available in that price range.

On defense:

And offense:

A few things about the idea of adding Trey Hendrickson or Terry McLaurin. One, these would absolutely be "Win Now" moves. In a few weeks, both will be 30. Which in Pass Rusher years, makes Hendrickson like 90. But when he's had 35 sacks over the past two seasons, has made four straight Pro Bowls, was All Pro last year and runner up DPOTY, he's worth that investment. McLaurin is a perennial 75-plus catch, 1,000-yard guy coming off his second Pro Bowl and first second team All Pro. And would immediately give the Pats wide receiver room a pair of veterans at the top of the depth chart unlike any we've seen since Randy Moss shot his way out of town 15 years ago. 

To be clear, if the Bengals are serious about wanting a young defensive player and a 1st, they can piss all the way off. Unless they're willing to accept, say, the damaged goods that is Kyle Dugger right now. But they'll have to tear Keion White or Christian Gonzalez from between Mike Vrabel's cold, dead fingers. And since Christian Barmore is coming off a season lost to health problems, he'd likely not be in the mix either. So if they plan to dig in on their demand for a young starting-caliber defender, that's going to be a short conversation.

More to the point though, neither Cincinnati nor Washington are dealing from a position of strength here. Neither of these guys seem to be willing to back down on their salary demands. There aren't a lot of teams with the cap space to give them the paydays they're after. But you know who does have it? 

According to Over the Cap, the Pats are still No. 1 in cap room, at just shy of $60 million. That's a preposterous $12 million more than the No. 2 team. Consider it a dividend from the years 2022-24, when they couldn't sign anybody for any amount. They tried to Win Now, but ended up Building for the Future against their will. And because it, now have the resources they need to be in on the two most coveted available players in the NFL. 

Just the fact we're having this discussion tells us Patriots management is very serious about being back in contention. Last year they were favored in exactly 0.0 games. As we sit here in mid-August, they're giving points in 11 games. Add either Hendrickson or McLaurin, give up a pick next year and spend some of the money you have available, and that number goes up. And the Summer of Hope I've been talking about since May, officially becomes the Patriots are BACK. It couldn't happen to a more deserving fan base. Make it so.