Patriots reportedly preparing to spend big at wide receiver position

The New England Patriots are in the market for a wide receiver in free agency.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Patriots will explore avenues to add a wide receiver in the open market this offseason.

“Per sources, the #Patriots have been in on the big names on the WR free-agent market next week and are believed to be prepared to spend big,” Schultz said.

“Alec Pierce is among the names they’ve been eyeing. The trade market is also an option.”

The Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Wednesday. On the one hand, the move created $15.795 million in cap space for New England, bringing their salary cap to $55 million. On the other hand, parting ways with Diggs leaves the Patriots short a 1,000-yard receiver from 2025. Diggs was their only pass-catcher to achieve the feat last season, having gone for 1,013 yards.

The Patriots will have the opportunity to court Pierce in the open market, with the 25-year-old set to test the waters in free agency on March 11. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is a receiver tied to the Patriots in trade speculations.

Big spending for New England on a wide receiver will work toward the Patriots preserving the No. 4 passing attack in the NFL from 2025 that went for 4,459 yards.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots reportedly preparing to spend big at wide receiver position