NFL 2025 Offseason

[Phantom255x]

If they don't trade for Kupp then I have no clue what they'll do. Because Higgins and Godwin will likely stay with their teams, Deebo got traded, and Metcalf may go either Raiders or Packers. So then the Pats are probably just getting someone like Slayton, who I wouldn't mind as a 2nd tier acquisition but who the hell is the WR1?? Not good.

Kupp makes a lot of sense IMO even if he isn't the same guy as in 2021 obviously. Veteran, smart, still able to run good routes and can function as a nice "safety blanket" for Maye alongside Henry. Reminds me of when Brady had Edelman or even Amendola as that guy in the middle of the field. Then a guy like Slayton can function as the vertical threat 

[Goldstar88]

Guess this means the Pats won?t be getting Higgins. 

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second straight year.

Higgins announced the news by posting on X, "tag."

Higgins' franchise tender would pay him $26.2 million for the 2025 season if he's unable to agree to a long-term contract with the Bengals by the July 15 deadline for such deals.

[Phantom255x]

At this point if they don't get Kupp or Devante Adams, they might go into next year without a WR1 again. Now if they really beef up both lines and add 1-2 legit pass rushers/LBs, I'd be fine with it. But so far, I'm getting real PTSD thinking of the last few offseasons. So much cap space, many options but then the options dwindle and then we don't end up spending. And also, Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh dealing with the draft? Lol good luck. If Hunter/Carter aren't there at 4, I'd just trade down to 6-10 and take Graham or Banks whoever is there.

[Phantom255x]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

[Donoghus]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You have an unhealthy obsession with receivers, huh? 

[Phantom255x]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You have an unhealthy obsession with receivers, huh? 

After watching 3-4 years of Parker, Polk, Baker, JuJu, Agholor, Thornton, N'Keal Harry, etc. I am scarred

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You have an unhealthy obsession with receivers, huh? 

After watching 3-4 years of Parker, Polk, Baker, JuJu, Agholor, Thornton, N'Keal Harry, etc. I am scarred

Everyone in Patriot Nation?especially those in the front office?should be obsessed with WRs at this point, because, as Phantom points out, the WR corps has been terrible for several years now.

[Phantom255x]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You have an unhealthy obsession with receivers, huh? 

After watching 3-4 years of Parker, Polk, Baker, JuJu, Agholor, Thornton, N'Keal Harry, etc. I am scarred

Everyone in Patriot Nation?especially those in the front office?should be obsessed with WRs at this point, because, as Phantom points out, the WR corps has been terrible for several years now.

Yeah, and like I'm not even saying it has to be a Chase or Jefferson type HOF-talent. But they need someone who can put "some fear" into opposing defenses and maybe open things up for others too. They've lacked that. No one fears Parker, JuJu, etc. I like Douglas but he's a great #2 or #3, not #1. Henry is a great #1 TE but sometimes last season teams focused on him and then our other receivers did nothing.

Kupp or Adams would be a huge upgrade from whatever we currently we have, even if their best days are behind them. They have 120M in cap space and the #4 pick + an early 2nd rounder. No excuses to not get a receiver and LT both.

[Neurotic Guy]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You ok with his age?  By the time Pats realistically can make a playoff run he?ll likely be done.   But I do agree that bringing in good players and being competitive changes the culture and he?d likely help with that over the next 2 years.

[Phantom255x]

Adams got released by the Jets. He needs to be the #1 priority for NE. Sign him to be the WR1, add a 2nd tier guy like Slayton, make yourself a more attractive destination as well in the process, and then beef up the trenches in FA + Draft.

Yeah people think Adams will just follow Aaron Rodgers but where is Rodgers going? Giants? Raiders? Doubt Adams will go back to the Raiders lol, and NYG already have some nice receivers.

You ok with his age?  By the time Pats realistically can make a playoff run he?ll likely be done.   But I do agree that bringing in good players and being competitive changes the culture and he?d likely help with that over the next 2 years.

I don't mind. Adams is 32. Kupp is 31. It's not "peak" years but it's also not "retirement home". If they have two great offseason in a row (big if, I know) they could have some playoff runs in 2026 and beyond. Unless either suffers a catastrophic injury they should still be pretty productive, even if it's mostly just drawing defenders and opening things up for Bourne/Douglas/Polk/Henry/Boutte.

[Roy H.]

The Chicago Bears are expected to acquire All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Wednesday. ESPN?s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears would be giving up a 2026 fourth-round pick in the deal.

Thuney, 32, has been a first-team All-Pro at left guard for each of the last two seasons, having been a second-team All-Pro in 2022. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three years.

That's after the Bears traded a 6th rounder for former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson yesterday.

I know that these moves are motivated by money, but I'm surprised that quality players like Thuney and Deebo are getting traded for such little draft capital.

[Donoghus]

The Chicago Bears are expected to acquire All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Wednesday. ESPN?s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears would be giving up a 2026 fourth-round pick in the deal.

Thuney, 32, has been a first-team All-Pro at left guard for each of the last two seasons, having been a second-team All-Pro in 2022. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three years.

That's after the Bears traded a 6th rounder for former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson yesterday.

I know that these moves are motivated by money, but I'm surprised that quality players like Thuney and Deebo are getting traded for such little draft capital.

I'm not sure how much leverage the Chiefs had with Thuney.  They have a cap crunch and he's up for an extension that KC wasn't going to be able to afford.  Other teams knew this so KC was in a bit of a bind here.

[Roy H.]

The Chicago Bears are expected to acquire All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Wednesday. ESPN?s Adam Schefter reported that the Bears would be giving up a 2026 fourth-round pick in the deal.

Thuney, 32, has been a first-team All-Pro at left guard for each of the last two seasons, having been a second-team All-Pro in 2022. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the last three years.

That's after the Bears traded a 6th rounder for former Pro Bowler Jonah Jackson yesterday.

I know that these moves are motivated by money, but I'm surprised that quality players like Thuney and Deebo are getting traded for such little draft capital.

I'm not sure how much leverage the Chiefs had with Thuney.  They have a cap crunch and he's up for an extension that KC wasn't going to be able to afford.  Other teams knew this so KC was in a bit of a bind here.

Yeah, I get that aspect of it.  The cost goes down when everybody knows you need to move on from a player.  But still, a future 4th rounder?  There's no other team that would offer that?  Or a 5th for Deebo?

[SparzWizard]

Chiefs losing more of their own linemen with the loss of Joe Thuney 

[Phantom255x]

All I'm gonna say is, if the Pats don't add a legit LT and beef up the O-Line, this Thuney trade is gonna look bad for them in hindsight. It was for a 2026 4th and his salary next season I believe is 15M. We do have a need at LG too. I know I know, FA starts next week, but sorry if I'm becoming skeptical given the Pats recent history of spending and adding talent (or lack thereof)