FOXBORO, Massachusetts — Before Tuesday’s practice, Jerod Mayo joked with the assembled reporters, knowing exactly what they were all hoping to hear from him.
The New England Patriots have been the focus of rumors and conjecture regarding a possible trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers for over a full day. The Patriots have not hidden their desire to sign the type of top receiver this team has not had in recent memory during the whole offseason.
“I know what all of you want to know,” Mayo said, “but one thing I learned from Bill (Belichick) is that I don’t talk about players on other teams.”
Jerod Mayo amid all the Aiyuk speculation: “I know what all of you want to know but one thing I learned from Bill is that I don’t talk about players on other teams.” pic.twitter.com/h36bOyYoof
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) August 6, 2024
Even so, Mayo addressed the rumors in greater detail than Belichick did. As NBC Sports Bay Area reported, Mayo stated he spoke with receiver Kendrick Bourne, whose name has been linked to a possible trade, and claimed that “the story is so much further along than anything else,” hinting that nothing was imminent, but he did not confirm nor deny that the Patriots have the framework of a trade with the 49ers in place.
With the potential for a blockbuster game between the Super Bowl favorites and a Patriots squad slated to finish among the worst in the league, that will not do much to quell the rumors.
On a rainy day at Patriots practice, the Aiyuk conversation took center stage despite the fact that the team’s first preseason game, which all players—including rookie quarterback Drake Maye—are slated to play, is coming up on Thursday. Thus, let us take a step back and assess the current status of a possible Aiyuk deal while discussions continue and the narrative develops.
Why are the Patriots so motivated?
The Patriots may be the team in the NFL with the greatest motivation to sign Aiyuk right now. Initially, it appeared like Aiyuk had four clear suitors: the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and New England Patriots. Aiyuk publicly stated that he would rather play for the Steelers or Commanders, whose rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was a teammate of Aiyuk’s in college, if he could not play for the Niners.
However, according to NBC Sports Bay Area, just the Browns and Patriots remain in the running for the Aiyuk prize, with the Commanders and Steelers being already eliminated.
The Patriots, who have made it clear that finding a No. 1 receiver for Maye is their first priority, have cap space that the Browns do not. They wish to emulate the trend in the league of trading a quarterback for a premier receiver on a rookie contract, as the Texans did this offseason with Stefon Diggs, the Eagles did with A.J. Brown, and the Dolphins did with Tyreek Hill.
This spring, the Patriots offered free agency Calvin Ridley about $25 million annually; but, he accepted a lower offer from the Tennessee Titans. Considering that, it would not be shocking if they made Aiyuk an offer greater than that of any other team, making him the second-highest paid receiver in the league after Justin Jefferson. (At $32 million a season, Brown is currently the second-highest paid receiver.)
However, it is still unknown if the Browns (or some other unidentified team) will suddenly make a big trade offer.
Given the advanced discussions, it appears that the Pats have faith in Aiyuk. 26-year-old Aiyuk caught 75 catches last season for 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Since Wes Welker in 2012, the Patriots have not had a receiver with that many yards.
What would a trade look like?
A draft pick would most likely be included in a deal. It does not seem plausible that the Patriots, who are in dire need of a top receiver, would be prepared to part up their 2025 first-round pick.
Even with Aiyuk added, they are aware that their roster’s talent is inferior to that of the other teams in the league. In light of this, there is a significant likelihood the 2025 first-round selection will land in the top 10. Therefore, it does not seem likely that they would swap that.
What seems more likely is adding a player or two to their 2025 second-round pick — maybe Bourne, Matthew Judon or both.
The Patriots and 49ers have already agreed to a contract, if NBC Sports Bay Area’s reporting is accurate. The 49ers and Browns seem to be in a similar situation. That would transfer control to Aiyuk.
Aiyuk’s perspective
Aiyuk is “holding in” from 49ers practices until he signs a new contract with them or is dealt. He has one year left on his rookie contract. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team has given Aiyuk authority to discuss possible contracts with other teams. This means he may essentially choose which team to sign a deal with once the 49ers have completed the framework of a trade.
However, this is where things become tricky. There is a good chance the Patriots will make the highest financial offer. They have a strong desire to get a No. 1 receiver because they think they could use Maye early in the campaign if they do.
But Aiyuk’s top choices were the Commanders and Steelers. Born in California, he attended Nevada for high school before playing NCAA ball at Arizona State and Sierra College in California.
Would a West Coast player be able to move across the nation and play in the cold for a team starting a rebuild with the extra million or two the Patriots might provide each year? We might learn soon enough.
(Photo: Chris Unger / Getty Images)
