Dre Kirkpatrick sends warning to Bengals over A.J. Green trade rumors

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Dre Kirkpatrick really doesn't want to see Cincinnati Bengals teammate A.J. Green dealt before the NFL trade deadline later this month, and the veteran cornerback even went as far as warning the team what might happen if such a move is made.

“It better not happen. It’s going to fall apart if you do that,” Kirkpatrick said after Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals, per the team's website. “That’s our best player on the team. He’s not even out there. We don’t know how the team really should look. They can’t do that. I’m a team player first. I rally around my guys. That would really hurt my spirit if he walked out this door … I want everybody to stay. I want to win here. I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m not just a player for the Bengals. I do things in the community. A lot of guys in here do.”

Green has been an elite wide receiver for most of his career, but as a 31-year-old veteran in the final year of his contract, it makes sense for the Bengals to move on. Cincinnati dropped to 0-5 after its Week 5 loss, and acquiring a draft pick or two for Green, who could leave the franchise in free agency in March, is the best course of action for this rebuilding team.

What does this mean for the New England Patriots?

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Sunday a list of teams that have been among the "most active" before the trade deadline, and the Pariots were one of these clubs. La Canfora provided further insight into what the Patriots could look for ahead of the Oct. 29 deadline at 4 p.m. ET:

The Patriots have issues at the offensive line, tight end and receiver, and are expected to push for players like Bengals receiver A.J. Green and/or tight end Tyler Eifert; those players also appeal to the Saints, sources said, who made a real effort to land Denver's Emmanuel Sanders a year ago and likely would again.

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The Patriots certainly could use additional depth at wide receiver, especially after veteran Phillip Dorsett left Sunday's win over the Washington Redskins after suffering a hamstring injury in the first quarter.

Green's recent injury history is a bit of a concern, but his talent when healthy is unquestionably impressive.

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