This NFL offseason is basically a high-stakes chess match—just when you think a team has the upper hand, another swoops in and flips the board. Free agency? That’s the battlefield. And if there’s one team that desperately needs to reload its arsenal, it’s the Patriots. With their O-line looking like a crumbling castle in 2024, protecting whoever lines up under center in the 2025 season isn’t just a priority—it’s survival.

Sure, their O-line includes players like Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, and Michael Onwenu. But let’s be real—the New England team still lacks that reliable offensive tackle for the upcoming season. Now that free agency is just around the corner, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots are on a hunt to sign a veteran OT to protect the QB. And the way things are shaping, the Patriots can sign the Ravens‘ outcast OT—Ronnie Stanley Jr.

The Baltimore Ravens have decided not to use the franchise tag on the 30-year-old left tackle. That said, the Patriots are in dire need of help at left tackle considering the team recorded the worst pass protection in the last season. You see, according to data compiled by NFL analytics expert Ben Baldwin, the New England team’s pass protection composite score was a mere 2 through 12 weeks, ranking them last in the league.

To pour gasoline on the fire, the quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye probably spent more time running for their lives than actually throwing the ball. The reason? Well, on one side, Brissett got pressured on 41% of his dropbacks. As for Maye…well, he wasn’t far behind either at 38%. So yeah, signing Stanley could be the best decision Mike Vrabel can make. Geez! He doesn’t have any other option—unless another team makes a surprise visit.

On the other hand, Andy Reid and the Chiefs seemingly sat down in front of a whiteboard and discussed their salary cap space. I mean, a few days ago, the chiefs’ cap space wasn’t just low—it was straight up in negatives, like a bank account after a wild weekend in Vegas. Now? Well, the Chiefs recently cleared a whopping $16M from their cap space after trading Joe Thuney to the Bears. BINGO!

Now, here’s the deal: Andy Reid and the Chiefs also have their eyes set on Ronnie Stanley Jr. The LT must be giving a slight nod to these rumors right about now. Anyway, according to Jeff Zrebiec, the Chiefs are surely in a mix to sign the 30-year-old LT from the Ravens. If the deal is done, the Chiefs’ QB would get a veteran protector for the 2025 season. All in all, both the teams are looking to compete in the offseason before the 2025 campaign kicks off.

Now, what do we know and what have we learnt? First, we surely know that Stanley is one of the top contenders in the free agency to get a sweet deal in 2025. Second, the official confirmation is yet to arrive whether Ronnie Stanley Jr. will land with the winningest head coach or with the newly appointed head coach of the Patriots. However, Mike Vrabel’s job isn’t done with the LT only.

Mike Vrabel is also looking for a wide receiver

Mike Vrabel and the New England team are surely on a hunt to build a Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer level supporting cast. Because let’s be real—drafting Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the 2024 NFL created some solid headlines, and not for good reasons. Sure, the second year wide receivers are looking to bounce back in 2025, but that doesn’t mean the team wouldn’t require a seasoned wide receiver.

Speaking of seasoned wide receiver, Patriots were set to sign either Tee Higgins or Chris Godwin in the free agency. And why wouldn’t they? Vrabel has a heavy purse when it comes to the salary cap space. But nah, signing the top wide receivers isn’t anyone’s cup of tea, even if you’ve nearly $130M in cap space. The thing is, Higgins and Godwin are expected to stay put with the Bengals and the Bucs, respectively. That left them with the Seahawks‘ DK Metcalf.

Oh yeah, how can we ignore Metcalf from the free agency? Now’s the big question: what would it take for the Patriots to bring the 27-year-old Metcalf to Foxborough? According to The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini “The Seahawks are seeking a first- and third-round pick for WR DK Metcalf, per sources.”

Here’s the deal: Metcalf is entering the 2025 season with a base salary of $18M, and can become an unrestricted free agent after that. Now, that’s where things get pretty expensive. You see, Russini reported that Metcalf is also eyeing a new contract worth around $30M per year. Yes, yes, that’s one hell of a contract. But Metcalf’s numbers speak for his demand.

The guy’s been in pro football for six seasons now. His stats? Ridiculous. The WR averaged 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per season. Plus, the guy is just 27-year-old and won’t turn 28 until mid-December of this year. That’s like landing a prime sports car at a discount—fast, powerful, and nowhere near out of mileage. With that being said, all Mike Vrabel needs to do is make a call and wish no one else snags DK Metcalf first.