After moving on from Mac Jones in the offseason, the New England Patriots are widely expected to select a quarterback with the third overall pick. But as Jason Ounpraseuth wrote at NESN, Pats de facto general manager Eliot Wolf surprised some by stating that New England is “open for business” and could be amenable to trading down.

“According to one source,” they said, “the Patriots have fielded calls and trade offers for their first-round pick. However, the source indicated that those offers were ‘laughable’ and not close to getting the Patriots to move down. As of now, the team is still waiting for a ‘serious’ offer.”

It’s understandable that the Patriots would at least consider a trade down, especially if they aren’t infatuated with whichever of the “Big Three” quarterbacks are left after Chicago and Washington pick—the Pats need a lot more than just a new quarterback. But it’s also certainly understandable that they aren’t just going to give the pick away considering what the Miami Dolphins got for 1.03 in 2021.

The problem right now is the aforementioned Washington Commanders. We know that the Bears are going to take Caleb Williams, at least from all indications. But while we know that Vegas oddsmakers think the Commanders are going to take Jayden Daniels, it’s not a certainty. If, say, the Minnesota Vikings want Daniels and are willing to move up, they aren’t going to make their best offer for pick No. 3 only to see him come off the board at 1.02.

It’s possible that Thursday night, a team like Minnesota will throw a huge offer at the Patriots—one that they either can’t pass up or at least would have to seriously consider. But given how badly the Trey Lance trade turned out for the San Francisco 49ers, it isn’t especially likely.

That could leave the Patriots in the unenviable position of drafting a signal-caller they aren’t especially enamored with. Maybe they should draft another one in Round 6.

Worked out OK once before.