Patriots Football Daily: More Unhappy Wide Receivers?

The NFL offseason always features plenty of rumors of disgruntled players and a million hypothetical trade proposals. But this year there seems to be more validity than usual to certain rumors. Several star wide receivers are looking for new contracts, which could force their current teams to move them. Could this end up benefitting the New England Patriots?

The Cincinnati Bengals designated Tee Higgins with a franchise tag, which prompted Higgins to formally request a trade after no extension talks took place. Higgins had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk has also formally requested a trade after weeks of speculation. He has one year remaining on his contract. Aiyuk was the No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the NFL by Pro Football Focus last season.

In addition to these known commodities, two other superstars may follow suit. Both CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings did not attend the beginning of voluntary offseason workouts with their respective teams.

It is worth noting that these workouts are 100% voluntary. Players cannot be punished in any way for skipping. Just the same, these moves certainly got the attention of the public. Both are elite wide receivers known to be looking for a new contract.

From @NFLTotalAccess: Two big-name WRs — CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson — were not present for voluntary offseason conditioning as they await contract extensions. pic.twitter.com/nlXpusmytP

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2024

The issue for the New England Patriots, or any team trading for any of these wide receivers, is they need to give up trade capital (likely in the form of NFL Draft picks) in addition to the cost of whatever their new contract will be. But perhaps having multiple disgruntled star wideouts on the market could bring down the cost of acquiring one of them. It would certainly be a big splash to begin the Eliot Wolf Era in Foboro. Stay tuned.

Also in today’s Patriots Football Daily:

New England Patriots

Tom Brady playing for the Patriots again? He says it’s possible

Kelley: I’m done discussing “The Dynasty”

New England Patriots Roster Breakdown

Comeback for All-Pro Marcus Jones

Safety Joshuah Bledsoe fights for a roster spot

Bryce Baringer solidified as the Patriots punter in 2024

NFL Draft

Ranking the Top 30 Running Backs in the 2024 NFL Draft

Dan Kelley’s Seven-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft

New England Top 30 Visits

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy

Penn State offensive tackle Caedan Wallace

Georgia State offensive tackle Travis Glover

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Boston Hockey Now – Murphy: Danton Heinen should with 7th Player Award

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Assuming long snapper Joe Cardona makes the New England Patriots 2024 roster, he will become the longest-tenured draft pick on the team. This distinction has belonged to 14 other players throughout the franchise’s history. In chronological order: Ron Burton, Don Webb, Jon Morris, Tom Neville, Julius Adams, Steve Grogan, Andre Tippett, Bruce Armstrong, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, Kevin Faulk, Tom Brady, and Matthew Slater.

Post of the Day

Speaking of Evan Lazar, showcasing Joe Cardona making a successful snap and tackle on the same play:

How about long snapper Joe Cardona getting down the field to make the tackle in punt coverage. Pretty good stick too. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/n4W59Imoo8

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 31, 2018