Are the Patriots on the verge of acquiring one of the top wide receivers to become available in the NFL this offseason? As of Monday night, it sounds like they’ve at least taken a step towards doing so.
Since the NFL Draft back in April, the Patriots have been linked through various reports to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has been vocal about wanting a new contract – something the 49ers don’t seem to be willing to give him.
After months of speculation it now seems the Patriots are among the finalists to land Aiyuk. But, they do have company.
According to a Monday night report from Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Patriots and 49ers “have negotiated the framework” of a trade that would send Aiyuk to New England. However they’re not alone, as Maiocco adds the Niners also have a deal in place with the Cleveland Browns.
“The Browns and Patriots have given their best offers to Aiyuk’s camp while also presenting trade proposals that the 49ers have accepted,” according to Maiocco. That puts the ball in Aiyuk’s court, to decide which contract offer – if either – he’d accept.
This report does not include the Patriots’ full offer, but does note that wide receiver Kendrick Bourne would likely be included. Bourne began his career with the 49ers before signing with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021. The 29-year-old has yet to practice this summer as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in October.
Aiyuk, 26, is reportedly looking to be among the highest paid wide receivers in the league, which would likely put any deal north of $25 million per year. The Patriots still have $43 million in cap space this year per OverTheCap.com, and are projected to have $78.2 million next year with minimal pending free agents.
Last season was a career year for Aiyuk. In 16 games he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. In New England he’d be the clear-cut No. 1 receiver the team has been looking for, with the hopes he elevates the young receiving core of Pop Douglas, K.J. Osborn, and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker while growing with third overall pick quarterback Drake Maye.
