After an abysmal 4-13 record, the Patriots need a massive offseason to fix the problems that plagued them this season. A lack of depth and getting quality fixes in a few positions will be at the top of the chart for new HC Mike Vrabel. He will be tasked with turning around a side that is low on confidence and appears far from making a playoff run. For this, he would need to ensure QB Drake Maye, one of the rare bright spots for the Pats, gets the service and the protection. But Maye isn’t just sitting and watching things unfold.

For the second time in the last half-decade, the Patriots sent their rookie quarterback to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. Maye competed in Sunday’s Pro Bowl which ended 76-63 in the favor of the NFC. But it turns out Maye wasn’t just there to participate, he was assisting the Patriots’ front office in recruitment in Orlando.

After the Pro Bowl games, Drake Maye appeared on Kay Adams’ podcast, Up and Adams on Tuesday. The former NFL network reporter asked Maye several questions about the offseason, the cap space the Patriots have for 2025, and selecting a free agent from the Pro Bowl. The rookie QB revealed that he pitched New England to several players during the Pro Bowl Games

“I definitely think a little bit. I definitely got to know some of the guys. Tell them a little bit about Boston, about Foxborough, about Gillette a little bit, some about the fan base. It’s definitely time to get to know some guys and let them know that the Pats got some things to make some moves this offseason,” he mentioned.

After a good showing in his rookie season, Maye could improve with quality talent around him on the offensive side of the ball in 2025. Vrabel also understands that help is needed on the offensive line, at receiver, on the defensive line, and at linebacker, but it is easier said than done.

They had trouble recruiting last season talent last year despite being linked with Calvin Ridley and then missing out on Brandon Aiyuk amid trade talks with the 49ers.

During this year’s Pro Bowl, not many free agents were down in Orlando but Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, and Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy are all set to hit the free agency and the Patriots require players at all three positions.

Drake also opened up on players who are not free agents this year, whom he met in the Pro Bowl game, and which player he would like to see in New England. “Ja’Marr Chase is obviously a great answer. Another receiver there that I met? Nico Collins was awesome. …Justin Jefferson, he’s an easy person to bring to Foxborough.”

The Pats have $131,183,301 in cap space, the largest in the NFL right now, followed by the Commanders, the Cardinals, and the Jets, and as such will have a good chance at upgrading their roster.

Drake Maye’s mention of Chase fits well in the offseason story of the Patriots. The Bengals star wideout, whose contract would end as the 2025 season ends, has already said that he would appreciate a “fair” contract from the Bengals. And in the Pro Bowl, Chase and Maye had a connection as well. The Patriots rookie quarterback delivered several highlight-worthy plays, including a perfectly placed pass to Chase, leading to Maye’s first Pro Bowl touchdown.

Though Chase’s chances are less, who knows if the Patriots would give him a “fair” contract in the future! The wide receiver couldn’t enter into the postseason but he is 1st in receptions (127), receiving yards (1708), and touchdowns (17). He could fit well in New England, given how Maye enjoyed linking up with him.

“Ja’Marr made it pretty easy. I think he beat him off the line. And my job was just to get it up to him, give him a chance. And I think he created enough room where I could throw it about anywhere. So it was fun throwing to a guy like that,” Maye said of connecting with Chase.

The Pats definitely need to beef up their wide receiver department. Their current WR, Kendrick Bourne, averaged just 10.9 yards per reception, with only 28 catches and a single touchdown. In fact, this was his worst performance since his rookie year. Another WR, Demario Douglas, caught 66 passes on 166 targets and recorded three touchdowns, but that wasn’t enough to provide sufficient support for rookie Drake Maye.

Maye, while showing promise, struggled to close out games, with a handful of late turnovers that cost his side plenty of times. The need for better wide receivers is so evident that one of their own WRs even hinted at a possible new addition. Let’s dive in.

Maye’s WR conveys Cooper Kupp’s message to the Patriots

The Pats’ wide receiver Kendrick Bourne dropped bombs in the NFL offseason with his one reply tweet. What happened was that NFL reporter Adam Schefter posted a tweet describing how the Rams player Cooper Kupp‘s trades are going on and how it will impact the team that will recruit him. Before revealing Bourne’s reply, let’s see what Adam Schefter posted.

His post said, “Now that the Rams have said they will look to trade Cooper Kupp, here is the cost: If Kupp is traded, his new team would inherit his $20 million salary in 2025 ($7.5M roster bonus + $12.5M base) and $19.85M in 2026—unless his contract is renegotiated.” And Kendrick Bourne’s reply for Cooper Kupp was eye-catching.

Bourne replied, “I ain’t no GM or nothing but I can promise anyone this money is gonna be worth it!!!!!!!” Alright, no need to talk a lot if Drake Maye’s teammate is making such futuristic statements. Kupp also posted a note on X, on Feb 4, saying, “I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.” Heartbreaking!

31-year-old Cooper Kupp has been a phenomenal player over the years. He is a Super Bowl winner (LVI) and also the Super Bowl MVP (LVI). This year, Kupp has played 12 regular-season games and both playoff games. In the regular season, he landed six TDs and received 67 throws at 100 targets. And in two postseason games, the WR caught six passes at eight targets and ran for 90 receiving yards. 

The Rams also want to move on from the Super Bowl champion. And at the same time, Drake Maye also talked about hiring free agents. Then there should not be a big impediment in Kupp’s recruitment. Maye’s Patriots also have great cap space to fill up.