The New England Patriots are expected to pursue wide receivers to bolster their chances next season as reports suggest the team will focus on addressing their need for targets in the offseason.

Recent reports indicated that the Patriots, who lost to the Super Bowl XLVIII-bound Denver Broncos in the conference championship, are interested in acquiring Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Sources said that the Patriots attempted to trade for Fitzgerald last offseason, but the two teams failed to strike a deal. The report was quickly refuted by the Patriots, but they did not deny their interest in trading for the 30-year-old wide receiver.

The Boston Herald also reported that the Cardinals denied any talks with the Patriots about a potential deal for Fitzgerald, but the 10-year veteran is expected to become one of the most coveted players in the coming offseason.

NFL analysts believe that the Cardinals will receive a lot of inquiries about Fitzgerald starting in March, and they are expected to listen to offers despite coming off a 10-win season in their first year under coach Bruce Adams.

"While they won 10 games in their first season under coach Bruce Arians, it was just their second 10-win season since 1977, and they've got a lot of room for improvement before catching up to the Seahawks and 49ers. Unloading Fitzgerald's contract might be the first step in that long process," the Boston Herald noted.

In other NFL news, aside from the Patriots, the New York Jets are expected to look to upgrade their wide receiver options for next season via free agency.

The New York Post reports that Eric Decker will hit free agency in the offseason, and the Denver Broncos wide receiver is expected to draw lots of interest in the free agent market. Sources said that the Jets could be the top suitor for the 26-year-old.

"Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker could be one of the most in-demand players in the NFL in two months.That is when Decker is scheduled to hit free agency, and he widely is viewed as the best receiver in a thin market. The Jets will be a team in the market for wide receivers, so the 26-year-old may be a target of theirs," the NY Post noted.