Aiyuk could be a perfect trade option for receiver-thirsty Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The New England Patriots are definitely looking for an “X” wide receiver.
They pursued Calvin Ridley in NFL Free Agency. They inquired with the Philadelphia Eagles about the availability of AJ Brown.
Meanwhile, the money not spent on Ridley is part of the Patriots’ remaining $54 million. That’s easily the NFL’s highest mark, and while the team will eventually roll some of that over to 2025 (the Patriots ranked 31st and 27th in the NFL in cap money the past two seasons, with $1.119 million in the cap for 2023 and $529,000 within this year’s cap), they must spend up to the 89 percent cap this year, which is just over $200 million of the $225 million cap.
If the Patriots hold on and select a quarterback at No. 3 — which is an overwhelming odds unless Minnesota blows them away — their next pick is No. 34. That pick would likely be the carrot they can dangle in front of a team like San Francisco, home base from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, a second-team All-Pro in 2023 after a 75-catch, 1,342-yard season, wants a new deal. The 49ers have bills to pay for their entire talented roster. Aiyuk is the most likely target for the Patriots based on their need, what they can offer, the space available and the Niners’ willingness to accept offers.
On Tuesday, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote: “Based on what I’m hearing from knowledgeable sources in the building, and from high-ranking personnel executives and coaches around the league, I wouldn’t rule out a deal that would send Brock Purdy’s favorite target to another team.”
Silver said there may not be “clarity” about the 49ers’ intentions with Aiyuk until they are on the clock or on Friday. While general manager John Lynch publicly stated that no Aiyuk deal is expected, Silver said the team has returned to conversations with other teams to gauge interest. San Francisco’s asking price is a 2024 first-round draft pick, per Silver, but another GM said a 2024 second-rounder might be able to make it happen.
Silver added: “Such a deal could become more attractive to Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan if that pick were early in the second round and packaged with another selection – say, a 2025 third-rounder.”
The No. 34 pick would certainly qualify. As for a 2025 third-rounder? That seems like a fair enough price to pay for a Patriots team that would otherwise conceivably be looking at the sixth- or seventh-best wideout in this year’s receiver-stacked draft.
Any deal the Patriots make must be contingent on them being able to sign Aiyuk to a long-term contract.
According to his personal wide receiver coach, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Aiyuk does not want to leave the 49ers.
“He just wants to get paid. Very simple. He wants to be rewarded for the work he has done,” Houshmandzadeh said.
Houshmandzadeh was asked on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show what Aiyuk would want in light of Ridley’s four-year, $92 million contract that the Patriots said was too much.
Houshmandzadeh responded with $27 million a year, adding, “It’s the cost of doing business in the National Football League right now. This is what it is. The salary cap is going up, player salaries are going up. That’s exactly what it So if you’ve got good players, and John Lynch, give yourself a pat on the back, Kyle Shanahan, give yourself a pat on the back. You guys have done a really good job drafting, for the most part, you’re drafting good players .
The key for the 49ers is who they draft at No. 31. Will they get a wideout that makes it easier for them to move on from Aiyuk? If they become receivers, it will be a sign that Aiyuk is very available.
For what it’s worth, one of the Patriots was very open this week about wanting to see Aiyuk come to New England. Kendrick Bourne, who played with Aiyuk in San Francisco, told Boston.com’s Khari Thompson:
“I want Aiyuk,” Bourne said. “He’s my guy, and I think he’ll fit in there. Just being a one-on-one receiver at X. He can take up the whole half of the field and dominate and create a lot.” attention to oneself. That’s big in our offense, the X receiver?
Yes. Correct. Yes that is true.
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