The New England Patriots are casting a wide net in hopes of finding a difference maker at the wide receiver position this offseason. The chances of them catching one could have just gone up: DK Metcalf, the Seattle Seahawks’ No. 1 wideout, has requested a trade.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was first to report the news.

Metcalf requesting a trade comes just days after a report by the Boston Herald that the Patriots “kicked the tires” on trading for the 27-year-old.

While there is no telling whether the two are related, Metcalf being receptive to the idea of changing teams this offseason should be welcome news to a New England team trying to find a WR1. Metcalf himself might not be in the highest tier of NFL wideouts, but he would be a quality addition to the Patriots offense and intriguing weapon to pair with quarterback Drake Maye.

His mix of a 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame and a physical play style has allowed him to average 73 catches for 1,054 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns over the course of his career. The 2019 second-round pick — one of the wideouts coming off the board after the receiver-needy Patriots picked N’Keal Harry at No. 32 — did not quite reach those levels during a comparatively quiet 2024 season.

That said, he still finished second on the Seahawks in receptions (66), receiving yards (992) and touchdowns (5), and was on track for his third straight 1,000-yard campaign before a midseason knee injury that ended up costing him two games. Metcalf is expected to be full-go for the offseason workout program.

The Patriots are heading toward free agency with wide receiver as one of their biggest needs. At the moment, they have seven players signed at the position: Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, JaQuae Jackson and John Jiles.

New England also has more than $130 million in salary cap space available, enough to absorb the $18 million it would cost to acquire Metcalf. The seventh-year man is set to enter free agency next spring.