Trade rumors are swirling around San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk, with the New England Patriots prominently involved.
After extensive but fruitless contract negotiations between the 49ers and Aiyuk this offseason, the star wide receiver has officially requested a trade from San Francisco. This development sets the stage for a potential blockbuster deal just weeks before the new season begins.
Aiyuk’s name had already surfaced in trade rumors earlier this offseason, particularly during the draft. The Patriots were one of the teams rumored to be interested in the 26-year-old, but no deal materialized.
However, insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has now revealed what the Patriots may have offered the 49ers to acquire Aiyuk.
“The Patriots proposed a second-round pick to the 49ers in exchange for Aiyuk, but the offer was ultimately declined,” Florio reported. “There were five teams, we’re told, who were ready to pay Aiyuk what he wanted before the draft. If they could also reach acceptable trade terms with the 49ers, he would have been traded. That part didn’t happen. It’s unclear what the 49ers wanted at the time. They rejected an offer of a second-round pick from the Patriots. Other interested teams were, and potentially still are, the Steelers and Commanders.”
Despite being unsuccessful in April, Aiyuk’s new trade request could present another opportunity for the Patriots to acquire the star pass-catcher. Aiyuk is coming off a strong season in San Francisco, with 75 receptions, a career-best 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns.
For New England to land Aiyuk, they must be willing to meet both his contract demands and the 49ers’ trade terms. According to Florio, the Patriots are ready to pay Aiyuk what he wants, so the deal hinges on what San Francisco will accept in return—and one second-round pick may not be enough.
Keep an eye on Brandon Aiyuk and the Patriots in the coming weeks as trade talks continue to swirl around the 49ers’ wide receiver.
