The New England Patriots-Brandon Aiyuk rumors just got very, very real.
On Monday night, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers agreed to the “framework” of an Aiyuk trade with New England and the Cleveland Browns. He added that nothing is certain and that Aiyuk, who recently requested a trade and has held in during training camp amid a contract dispute, still could stay in San Francisco.
Patriots and Browns Leading Brandon Aiyuk Trade Sweepstakes
Maiocco reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders, two of Aiyuk’s preferred landing spots, no longer are serious players. The Commanders “removed” themselves from trade talks, and the Steelers aren’t willing to meet the 49ers’ asking price.
From Maiocco: “The 49ers have negotiated the frameworks of trades that would send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday night.”
BREAKING: The 49ers have the framework of a Brandon Aiyuk trade with both the Browns and the Patriots, a source told @MaioccoNBCS.
Now it's up to Aiyuk to decide if he will accept either team's contract terms https://t.co/8DIfq9rQMV
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 6, 2024
Maiocco added the 49ers permitted Aiyuk to negotiate contract extensions with the Patriots, Browns, Steelers, and Commanders. With Pittsburgh and Washington out of the picture (for now), it’s now up to Aiyuk to determine whether he’ll accept contract offers from either New England or Cleveland.
“The Browns and Patriots have presented their best offers to Aiyuk’s camp while also presenting trade proposals that the 49ers have accepted, the source said,” Maiocco wrote.
Maiocco added: “If Aiyuk ultimately declines to agree to sign a multiyear contract with the Browns or Patriots, it remains a possibility he could remain with the 49ers.”
What Would Patriots Trade Package Look Like for Brandon Aiyuk?
Maiocco also offered insight into what a Patriots-Aiyuk trade could look like.
“The Patriots are expected to include former 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne as part of the deal if Aiyuk were to accept New England’s offer,” he wrote.
MORE: Steelers, Patriots Among 5 Realistic Suitors for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
Bourne spent the first four seasons of his career with the 49ers before joining the Patriots in 2021. He hasn’t practiced during camp while rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last season, but has made steady progress and could be nearing a return.
The Patriots explored an Aiyuk trade before the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a report from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio in mid-July. Florio reported New England offered a second-round pick; it’s unclear whether a similar pick in a future draft is part of the current trade discussions.
For what it’s worth, NFL insider Josina Anderson said the Patriots’ offer for Aiyuk has remained “unchanged” for a while.
I’m told the trade terms that the #49ers have on the table from the #Patriots for WR Brandon Aiyuk remain unchanged, per source. It’s the same terms New England has been offering for a while.
The #Patriots have been pursuing Aiyuk for months. pic.twitter.com/A2b0COcfSd
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 6, 2024
As for the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com recently reported the Browns could land Aiyuk if they include receiver Amari Cooper in a trade proposal.
Aiyuk, 26, is one of the NFL’s best receivers. He’s increased his yardage totals in each of the last four seasons, including a career-best campaign in 2023 when he posted 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
PFN Analysis: Should Patriots Even Trade for Brandon Aiyuk?
We explored this topic last month, looking at three reasons why the Patriots should trade for Aiyuk, and the answer remains the same: yes.
You can argue the Patriots should hold onto their draft capital, pass on handing out what likely would be the largest contract in franchise history, and target a receiver — perhaps even Aiyuk — in free agency. You also could argue they’re too early in their rebuild and aren’t ready for a player of Aiyuk’s caliber.
Nonsense.
First of all, the Patriots might be better than many people realize. They should have a top-10 defense, and their offense arguably features more talent than it’s had at any point in the post-Tom Brady era.
The receiving corps, while young and unproven, boasts young and genuinely intriguing talent. Their running back room is above average with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson atop the depth chart. Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are a rock-solid tight end duo, even if neither is Pro Bowl-caliber.
The major question marks are at quarterback, left tackle, and head coach — and those are big question marks, to be fair. But it’s also not unrealistic to suggest that Jerod Mayo and experienced assistants will be decent, Jacoby Brissett will be solid and responsible under center, and that someone will emerge to solidify one of the tackle spots.
And then there’s Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the draft and the potential future of the Patriots.
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Adding Aiyuk could accelerate Maye’s development while giving Brissett a true No. 1 receiver to work with right now. It’s the kind of move that would make the Patriots better this season and potentially increase the chances of Maye reaching his potential. Aiyuk also would inject needed excitement into an increasingly apathetic fan base.
An Aiyuk trade could change the complexity of the Patriots overnight. The positives far outweigh the negatives.