The curious reason DK Metcalf, Davante Adams were not part of Patriots offseason plans

Even with a glaring void at the receiver position, the Patriots weren’t diving head-first into the premier pool of playmakers this offseason.When reflecting on New England’s free agency moves on offense in a new column for NBC Sports Boston, NFL insider Tom E.Curran explained how the team sought players “they felt would be good ‘culture’ fits” in first-year coach Mike Vrabel’s rebuild after a putrid 3-14 campaign, and why renowned wideouts such as DK Metcalf and Davante Adams were left on the board.“The Patriots were exceedingly wary of the negative impact a demanding veteran wideout could have on [second-year quarterback Drake] Maye,” Curran wrote.

“As a result, they weren’t in the game on talented guys like DK Metcalf and Davante Adams.”Enter Mack Hollins, whom the Patriots signed away from the rival Bills on a two-year contract.“He’s quirky but smart and can hopefully have a positive impact on a young room that is – collectively – on thin ice after 2024’s miserable performance,” Curran wrote.In his lone season in Buffalo, the 31-year-old Hollins caught a career-high five touchdowns.Dual-threat Travis Hunter could be an immediate answer at the receiver position should Colorado’s hybrid star be available at No.

4 in next month’s draft, Curran also noted.As the Patriots re-tooled their offense with a familiar face — Josh McDaniels was re-hired in January for his third stint as the team’s offensive coordinator — the Steelers and Rams acted swiftly in acquiring Metcalf and Adams, respectively.Days after requesting a trade out of Seattle, where he spent the first six seasons of his NFL career, the 27-year-old Metcalf was shipped to Pittsburgh and received a new five-year, $150 million deal.The move followed reports that Metcalf had been eyeing a warm-weather city, a notion his camp pushed back on.He posted 992 yards and five touchdowns last season.Meanwhile, the Rams gifted quarterback Matthew Stafford a shiny new toy in ...