Several things:
- I think the best offers won't really come in until they know who is available at #3. This isn't like last year where the Bears were trading the #1 overall pick and the Panthers knew they could choose any QB or in 2021 where it was known that the Jags were taking Lawrence and the Jets were clear to take Wilson and the 49ers didn't even know who they wanted to take. Although it is generally believed the Commanders will take Daniels, that isn't a guarantee. Depending on who is available at #3 will probably affect who is in on trading and for how much.
- Even if the Pats have the offer they would take, it is in their best interest to claim the offers aren't anywhere near what they want until they accept the deal. You have several teams who want to trade up until #3. If the Commanders draft Maye or McCarthy over Daniels, several other teams might jump into the mix. Saying you have competitive offers only encourage marginal bidding. Claiming all the offer sucks might prompt a team desperate to get the #3 pick to do something stupid and give up way too much.
- The Pats might really not want to trade the pick and just making it clear that a team will have to offer something ridiculously good to change their mind. Even if they absolutely love Drake Maye, there is a point somewhere where a trade offer is too good to pass up. It may be a point that no team would ever do, but who knows. If the Vikes got desperate and stupid and offered a deal similar to what the Panthers gave last year with two firsts (both this year), two seconds, and Justin Jefferson (assuming they think they can't get a deal done with him) for #3, is that too rich for the Pats to pass up even if they think Maye is likely to be become a top 5 QB?