Brandon Aiyuk Roster Bonus Deadline - April 1st [Merged with Aiyuk watch is almost over]

[jdlboot14]

Here's a real consideration. Is a MAJOR Diva WR like Aiyuk - coming off a ACL & MCL tear & for big $$ - a better decision for THIS season, than a guy like Boutte? Who is going into his 3rd year, showed a lot of improvement: route running, separation, good hands & enough speed.
I'm not asking if Aiyuk is objectively better than Boutte in a vacuum, I'm considering the ability to contribute in this rebuild, which begins in April in all the OTA's and Mini camps, and building chemistry with Maye, and for the first 1/2 of the '25 season.
Add to that - the assumption that we're drafting a top 1-2 round WR, and want to get him up to speed with prime reps.

 

[Ring 6]

I really hope we make S Diggs an Offer Today: when he's right he's as good as any... production is not a problem for him.

Stefon Diggs Career Stats - NFL - ESPN

Complete career NFL stats for New England Patriots Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs on ESPN. Includes scoring, rushing, defensive and receiving stats.

www.espn.com

If we had an NFL capable WR corps and he was an addition to an acceptable group I could understand caution. But we are laughable and not competitive at the position.
It should be noted that we put ourselves in that position, so taking an attitude that we better then a 4 time pro bowl WR because he complained about getting the ball is not acceptable

 

[PatsFan2]

Here's a real consideration. Is a MAJOR Diva WR like Aiyuk - coming off a ACL & MCL tear & for big $$ - a better decision for THIS season, than a guy like Boutte? Who is going into his 3rd year, showed a lot of improvement: route running, separation, good hands & enough speed.
I'm not asking if Aiyuk is objectively better than Boutte in a vacuum, I'm considering the ability to contribute in this rebuild, which begins in April in all the OTA's and Mini camps, and building chemistry with Maye, and for the first 1/2 of the '25 season.
Add to that - the assumption that we're drafting a top 1-2 round WR, and want to get him up to speed with prime reps.

In a word?? Yesss.

 

[JayNM]

Here's a real consideration. Is a MAJOR Diva WR like Aiyuk - coming off a ACL & MCL tear & for big $$ - a better decision for THIS season, than a guy like Boutte? Who is going into his 3rd year, showed a lot of improvement: route running, separation, good hands & enough speed.
I'm not asking if Aiyuk is objectively better than Boutte in a vacuum, I'm considering the ability to contribute in this rebuild, which begins in April in all the OTA's and Mini camps, and building chemistry with Maye, and for the first 1/2 of the '25 season.
Add to that - the assumption that we're drafting a top 1-2 round WR, and want to get him up to speed with prime reps.

Personally, I like Boutte

but nothing there screams like a must-miss player, athletically at least to me. Between Polk, Baker and him, I'll carry one and get another in the PS, if possible. This guy + 1 high round rookie, and 3 new players (Bourne is a bordeline roster case for me in a competitive team already, but sure 2 new player) is ideal

If Hollins sees the field often, we are in trouble, and I like the bruiser archetype. But he aint the receiving answer we need.

Also, you are reaaaaaallllllllyyy going to struggle to find an elite WR who is NOT a bit of Diva

 

[Sciz]

Maybe April 1 is just the start. It was a nasty knee injury, with confirmed ACL and MCL tears plus some unspecified meniscus damage. It’s suspicious that the meniscus info only came from Aiyuk directly in a video after the injury and that the 49ers have only told reporters vague things like “other damage.” I find it really hard to believe that any team is willing to pay him ~$24.5M in 2025 (depends how many games he misses) to sit on PUP for a while and likely not hit 100% health by the end of the season just because they want to have him under contract for $27M in 2026. If the 49ers regret that extension as much as some reports have hinted at, then they’d gladly pay a large portion of that money in 2025 just in order to get the 2026 guaranteed money off the books.

 

[PatsFan2]

If we had an NFL capable WR corps and he was an addition to an acceptable group I could understand caution. But we are laughable and not competitive at the position.
It should be noted that we put ourselves in that position, so taking an attitude that we better then a 4 time pro bowl WR because he complained about getting the ball is not acceptable

They'll be wearing that Diva Diggs jersey when he gets here A.J. That's how these spin Doctor Patsfans are... bend with the prevailing winds.

 

[JayNM]

Maybe April 1 is just the start. It was a nasty knee injury, with confirmed ACL and MCL tears plus some unspecified meniscus damage. It’s suspicious that the meniscus info only came from Aiyuk directly in a video after the injury and that the 49ers have only told reporters vague things like “other damage.” I find it really hard to believe that any team is willing to pay him ~$24.5M in 2025 (depends how many games he misses) to sit on PUP for a while and likely not hit 100% health by the end of the season just because they want to have him under contract for $27M in 2026. If the 49ers regret that extension as much as some reports have hinted at, then they’d gladly pay a large portion of that money in 2025 just in order to get the 2026 guaranteed money off the books.

It's a ****ed up injury and the reason why even I don't love trading a high-ish pick for him

Cap is not a problem for us, maybe we can eat it and throw them a lower draft pick

 

[Ring 6]

Here's a real consideration. Is a MAJOR Diva WR like Aiyuk - coming off a ACL & MCL tear & for big $$ - a better decision for THIS season, than a guy like Boutte? Who is going into his 3rd year, showed a lot of improvement: route running, separation, good hands & enough speed.
I'm not asking if Aiyuk is objectively better than Boutte in a vacuum, I'm considering the ability to contribute in this rebuild, which begins in April in all the OTA's and Mini camps, and building chemistry with Maye, and for the first 1/2 of the '25 season.
Add to that - the assumption that we're drafting a top 1-2 round WR, and want to get him up to speed with prime reps.

We do not have an NFL caliber WR corps. Yes talent is more important than praying for improvement. Let the guy who isn’t good enough improve as a backup.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

The way I look at everything for the Patriots is that I want them to build a team that will contend throughout Maye’s career. Even though I think they might have a shot at a Wild Card spot this coming season (25’), I’m really looking at 26’ as the year they become a real playoff team, and from 27’ on I want them to be a contender. The contracts they signed in free agency should reflect who they want to be starters on those playoff teams. So Milt Williams and Carlton Davis ( and others) are guys they consider starters for those teams. The guys they are signing now are what I call band aids. Guys who can possibly shore up a weakness, but who they need to replace over the next two years with playoff team caliber starters. Garrett Bradbury is a good example of this. They signed him to a 2 year deal, They are hoping he will help shore up the line short term, but they know they will have to find their long term answer at Center either in the draft or the next free agency or two. So when I look at the players left in free agency that’s the lens I look at them through. With Diggs I see them adding a veteran in a 1-2 year deal at very reasonable $$$$, so I’m fine with that. With Aiyuk they will have to give up both a draft pick and 28 million a season, and given his boom or bust history, and that injury I think that’s a bad move for a team that is really 2 seasons from seriously competing in the playoffs. I understand why people are screaming for a receiver, but I would go with Diggs and the draft, where there will be good prospects right into the 4th round over spending that much on an unreliable WR who didn’t want to play here to begin with. I’m sure many will disagree with me, but that’s the best explanation for how I see the rest of this offseason and acquisitions.

The Aiyuk contract gives them essentially two years and on option on the third - they can cut him in year three with no cost. So that in fact gives you a potentially elite receiver for three years - pretty much what you were asking for.
The fact that he didn't want to come here under Mayo may or may not reflect his feelings now. The Pats are an ascending team that could easily be in the playoffs next year. Quite a different picture from last year with a much lower grade coaching staff and both sides of the ball in tatters.

 

[JayNM]

The Aiyuk contract gives them essentially two years and on option on the third - they can cut him in year three with no cost. So that in fact gives you a potentially elite receiver for three years - pretty much what you were asking for.
The fact that he didn't want to come here under Mayo may or may not reflect his feelings now. The Pats are an ascending team that could easily be in the playoffs next year. Quite a different picture from last year with a much lower grade coaching staff and both sides of the ball in tatters.

No hard feelings on the negotiation table

Maybe he had 2 or 3 braincells and saw the trainwreck we were with Mayo. Selling the project is part of the business

 

[PatsFan2]

Maybe April 1 is just the start. It was a nasty knee injury, with confirmed ACL and MCL tears plus some unspecified meniscus damage. It’s suspicious that the meniscus info only came from Aiyuk directly in a video after the injury and that the 49ers have only told reporters vague things like “other damage.” I find it really hard to believe that any team is willing to pay him ~$24.5M in 2025 (depends how many games he misses) to sit on PUP for a while and likely not hit 100% health by the end of the season just because they want to have him under contract for $27M in 2026. If the 49ers regret that extension as much as some reports have hinted at, then they’d gladly pay a large portion of that money in 2025 just in order to get the 2026 guaranteed money off the books.

Aiyuk should be well on the mend and he's still young... it happened in Game 7 last year: almost half the season. He should be able to pass physical now or by TC.

 

[Ring 6]

If April 1 is the deadline, the Patriots should not bother talking about a 3rd round pick til April 2.

It is silly to take on salary and give up a high pick.
Only Patriots fans with WR anxiety would do so.

Jed York is mandating these cuts

Kurtenbach: Jed York is coming out of the shadows. That’s terrible news for the 49ers

A new era of austerity undercuts the 49ers’ offseason goals.

www.marinij.com

Well they won’t trade him if they have to absorb the hit. Getting rid of the hit is the reason they want to trade him

 

[Pape]

Will be looking to see if Aiyuk & the 49ers move back the bonus deadline... If they do that, then its safe to assume that both the player and team are serious about moving on...

 

[Lansdowne]

This is not the BB/Brady era when Brady made WR's look good. It's the Drake Maye/ Mike Vrabel era which WR's are going to make Drake Maye look good *get that through your thick skulls *. IF we had better WR's last year Maye wouldn't throw those game ending Ints. I don't have high hopes for Polk and Baker: no HC or OC should either: if they're in their right minds.

Oh trust me I’m with you, I’m not okay with the WR group as is. I want them to find a way to get Maye a reliable target. I’m just saying wishcasting for guys that are frequently in the rumor mill feels like a waste of energy. Perhaps Hunter is our pick at #4 and he ends up being the guy we need, someone to grow along with Maye.

 

[JohnJH]

No.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Well they won’t trade him if they have to absorb the hit. Getting rid of the hit is the reason they want to trade him

The assumption is that the 49ers take only part of the hit this year instead of all of it provided they make the trade this month. Thus they pickup say half his guarantee for the year - around $10m and the trading partner takes the rest. Thus for this year while he is still injured we would be only out say $15m. They save $10m in cap hit this year and get a draft pick to boot. They get to wipe the slate clean on an extension that didn't work out for them. They got a 5th for Deebo, who is older, and so a low 3rd or 4th seems about right.

Young, elite, uninjured WRs simply do not hit the market. Any WR1 we trade for will have warts. This is someone who, when healthy, created better separation than pretty much any other WR in the League. We'd get him at a discount for this year, a fair salary for next and an option on a third year - that's pretty much an ideal package. Yes, there's some diva involved - that's par for the course.

 

[PatsFan2]

Will be looking to see if Aiyuk & the 49ers move back the bonus deadline... If they do that, then its safe to assume that both the player and team are serious about moving on...

I think they are moving on: they have proven Vets like Russell Gage and Demarcus Robinson who could thrive in Shanahan's system.

 

[TheRainMaker]

49ers think the Rams tank mode will work for them too. It only worked for the Rams because the 49ers and Seahawks imploded and the Cardinals continue to be the Cardinals. They need to salvage Aiyuk.

 

[PatsFan2]

49ers think the Rams tank mode will work for them too. It only worked for the Rams because the 49ers and Seahawks imploded and the Cardinals continue to be the Cardinals. They need to salvage Aiyuk.

Why them and not us??

 

[Ring 6]

The assumption is that the 49ers take only part of the hit this year instead of all of it provided they make the trade this month. Thus they pickup say half his guarantee for the year - around $10m and the trading partner takes the rest. Thus for this year while he is still injured we would be only out say $15m. They save $10m in cap hit this year and get a draft pick to boot. They get to wipe the slate clean on an extension that didn't work out for them. They got a 5th for Deebo, who is older, and so a low 3rd or 4th seems about right.

Young, elite, uninjured WRs simply do not hit the market. Any WR1 we trade for will have warts. This is someone who, when healthy, created better separation than pretty much any other WR in the League. We'd get him at a discount for this year, a fair salary for next and an option on a third year - that's pretty much an ideal package. Yes, there's some diva involved - that's par for the course.

I don’t understand that response to my post.
It was said we should tell SF FU until after they absorb the hit 4/1.
Once they have absorbed the hit, they won’t want to trade him. They only want to trade him to get rid of the hit.