Three-time Pro Bowl selection A.J. Brown is rumored to be a trade target for the Patriots this offseason.
Three-time Pro Bowl selection A.J. Brown is rumored to be a trade target for the Patriots this offseason.Matt Slocum/Associated Press
Eliot Wolf, the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel, made what seemed like an uncontroversial statement two weeks ago at the NFL Combine.
“Obviously, having more playmakers is a good thing,” he said.
But the Patriots aren’t acting like it as NFL’s 2026 free agency officially began on Monday. They released No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs last week, and their options to replace him are suddenly slim as the Patriots watched most of the top pass catchers sign elsewhere.
The Colts are re-signing Alec Pierce. The Steelers gave up almost nothing in a trade for Michael Pittman. The 49ers agreed to terms with Mike Evans. The Titans agreed to terms with Wan’Dale Robinson, and the Giants agreed to terms with tight end Isaiah Likely, a Cambridge kid who plays a position of need for the Patriots. These moves came a few days after the Bills traded for D.J. Moore and the Cowboys put the franchise tag on George Pickens.
The Patriots, though, were mostly bystanders on Monday.
No one should have expected a free agent smorgasbord after the Patriots were the NFL’s most aggressive spenders in 2025. And the Patriots are probably preparing for a big payday for cornerback Christian Gonzalez. But they reduced themselves to bit players this year, signing only a new fullback and edge rusher Dre’Mont Jones on the opening day.
They still have several holes across the roster — left guard, defensive tackle, linebacker, and tight end — but those are less worrisome and can be filled. Wide receiver, though, is a big one. And so far the Patriots have done nothing to replace the 85 catches, 1,013 yards, four touchdowns and locker room leadership they voluntarily cut with Diggs, with their options quickly vanishing.
In free agency, the pickings are slim. The top players are Christian Kirk, Romeo Doubs, Jauan Jennings, and Darnell Mooney, none of whom can seriously be considered on par with or an upgrade from Diggs. There’s also former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo, a former Mike Vrabel draft pick who seems close to a must-sign now.
The Patriots’ answer will likely have to come via the trade market. The Steelers may make DK Metcalf available after trading for and paying Pittman. The Jaguars reportedly have made Brian Thomas available, though I’d be concerned if the Jaguars are willing to give up on a former first-round pick on a cheap contract after just two years. The Patriots should check in with the fire-sale-holding Dolphins about Jaylen Waddle and Commanders about Terry McLaurin. The 49ers are looking to trade Brandon Aiyuk, but given his serious knee injury and bizarre behavior last year, the Patriots should run far away.
No, it’s increasingly looking like the Patriots have one solution: Trade for A.J. Brown.
Last week, I came out mostly against it. The Eagles are asking for a lot, and I thought the Patriots would be better off keeping Diggs and using their draft picks to inject much-needed youth into the roster, particularly on defense. The Patriots’ receiving corps was solid with Diggs at the top.
The Patriots will need to replace the production of Stefon Diggs (right), who was the Patriots' leader in receiving yards last season (1,013).
The Patriots will need to replace the production of Stefon Diggs (right), who was the Patriots' leader in receiving yards last season (1,013).Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
But now that the Patriots have released Diggs, saving themselves almost $21 million in cash, they need Brown. They can’t cheap out at wide receiver, not when they’re coming off a surprise Super Bowl run and have a quarterback on a rookie contract for one more year. The Patriots don’t need to go crazy in free agency, but they do need to keep the momentum of last season going.
The Patriots can afford Brown, who is owed $50 million over the next two years. He has a terrific relationship with Vrabel, his coach from Tennessee. Brown is a three-time second-team All-Pro who still commands respect from a defense. And the Eagles may be looking for a way out, with Brown unable to hide his unhappiness last season.
It makes too much sense for the Patriots, as long as the Eagles’ asking price doesn’t get out of hand. As much as the Patriots need to use the 31st overall pick on an offensive or defensive linemen, it’s hard to argue that the pick wouldn’t be better spent on an All Pro-caliber weapon for Drake Maye.
There’s also not a hard deadline. Brown doesn’t have any money due until the first game of the 2026 season, giving the Patriots six months to try to pry him free. In fact, if the Patriots can remain patient, there’s a good case that the Eagles should wait until after June 1 to make the trade, because doing so beforehand wrecks their salary cap.
But the Patriots have to make a move, because their receiver corps as currently constructed doesn’t scare anyone. Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and tight end Hunter Henry were great in 2025, but they are secondary options. DeMario Douglas is more like a fourth or fifth option.
The scariest thought is that the Patriots try to replace Diggs from within. Vrabel said he’s “excited” about the development of Kyle Williams, last year’s third-round pick who made a couple of highlight-reel touchdowns. Efton Chism made the team as an undrafted free agent and has the profile of another gritty, Patriots slot receiver. Vrabel also hinted at the Patriots drafting another receiver, responding that No. 1 receivers “are not going to be there in free agency. But you have to try to draft them. I think that’s where a lot of them are. You develop them.”
All three options sound good, in theory. It’s also like holding three lottery tickets. There’s a chance one of them can hit. History says that more likely, all three will go bust.
The Patriots had a solid receiving corps led by Diggs, and chose to make it worse. Surely, getting a taste of the Super Bowl has only made them hungrier. And it leaves the Patriots with one move to make this offseason:
A.J. Brown or bust.
Patriots’ lackluster start to free agency
With NFL free agency starting on Monday, the Patriots made few moves. Ben Volin and Chad Finn discuss what needs to be done during free agency.
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.