FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have probably the most wage cap area within the NFL, and govt vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf stated Monday that the staff is open for enterprise if a major commerce alternative presents itself.
“Yeah, completely. We’re speaking to all 31 groups and making an attempt to do what’s finest for us,” Wolf stated earlier than the staff’s follow. “I feel these issues are sometimes much more difficult than the followers and a few others want to make you imagine. But when there’s something we predict will help us, we might undoubtedly be open to it.”
The Patriots, who’re 2-0 within the preseason and have proven notable enchancment underneath first-year coach Mike Vrabel, have about $60 million in cap area.
Requested particularly whether or not the franchise can be prepared to half with a first- or second-round draft selection in a hypothetical commerce, Wolf stated: “Positive. Simply doing what’s finest for the staff. If there was a participant on the market that we really feel like will help us, and it prices that, then we might contemplate doing that.”
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Wolf’s remarks come at a time when a number of high-profile stars throughout the NFL — a bunch together with Dallas Cowboys defensive finish Micah Parsons, Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish Trey Hendrickson and Washington Commanders broad receiver Terry McLaurin — have been at a contract deadlock with their respective groups.
One potential hurdle for New England in a potential daring transfer is its longer-range wage cap outlook.
Earlier in coaching camp, Vrabel famous how the Patriots entered this season with a two-year plan for the wage cap and have been intentional about following that plan. The staff is presently over the wage cap for 2026, a yr during which second-team All-Professional cornerback Christian Gonzalez shall be eligible for a contract extension for the primary time.
Requested Monday about how New England views its abundance of cap area, and whether or not that displays that the mind belief does not see the staff as a contender, Wolf stated: “It is a big-picture view. Additionally, we’ve got the quarterback [Drake Maye] on a rookie contract. I actually assume we spent some huge cash in free company this yr, so I do not assume it is indicative of the place we predict we’re as a staff.”
