The Patriots have already sent one receiver packing this off-season, dealing away disappointing former first-round pick N'Keal Harry to the Chicago Bears before training camp.
Could they look to do so again? Perhaps not, according to one national insider.
Pro Football Focus reporter Doug Kyed reported Tuesday the Patriots "fielded calls" from wide-receiver needed teams before a collarbone injury knocked Tyquan Thornton out likely for the first half of the season but have turned down all offers "up to this point."
This latest information comes after weeks of speculation that New England could look to move on from Nelson Agholor, who underwhelmed in 2021, or Kendrick Bourne, who is reportedly frustrated with the new offense and has been at the center of drama over the past week.
Agholor has been one of the team's best receivers so far in training camp, connecting with Mac Jones down the field in practices and preseason games and looking more dynamic in the new system. Thornton's injury makes it highly unlikely Agholor will be traded as it would leave New England without any other speed options at receiver.
Also, one league source from a potentially interested party said Agholor's $9 million base salary would probably turn off teams given last year's lacking production.
Bourne, who was snapped at by Belichick and dismissed from joint practices with the Carolina Panthers for fighting last Tuesday, was a last-minute scratch from Friday's preseason game. But the absence apparently "wasn't a serious matter," according to one source, and Bourne is with the Patriots down in Las Vegas for joint practices with the Raiders.
Though Thornton's injury muddies the waters as far as possible trades -- he's not projected to return until about Halloween -- a deep stable of solid/above-average skill players could still a trade possible.
"The Patriots have four starting-worthy wide receivers, two high-priced tight ends and solid running backs. There likely won’t be enough snaps to go around for Meyers, Bourne, Parker and Agholor. They must decide between depth at the position (knowing they’ll get Thornton back at some point) and salary cap space," Kyed wrote.
The team currently has just about $5.5 million in available cap space, suggesting more moves must be made to create breathing room.
Though the Patriots have apparently rebuffed other teams' interest in their pass-catchers, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported Monday the team has actively shopped tackle Isaiah Wynn, who is playing this season on his fifth-year option and seems unlikely to return next season.
