Patriots Rumor Patriots potentially trading for Aiyuk (Update - Patriots Out of the Running)

[Huckleberry1]

Sign an expensive free agent next offseason.

Have you looked at the free agent tackle list for 2025? It’s really really weak. Their best shot is taking Will Campbell LSU, but they would have to have a top 5, and maybe even a top 3 pick to get him, if he’s the first LT off the board.

 

[farn]

Certainly SF has had some good pieces, but how far apart are these two groupings? Maybe not as far as you think...:

WR - Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Ray-Ray McCloud, Jauan Jennings
TE - George Kittle, Charlie Woerner
RB - Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell
QB - Brock Purdy

vs

WR - Brandon Aiyuk, Demario Douglas, Javon Baker, Ja'Lynn Polk/KJ Osborn
TE - Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper
RB - Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson
QB - Drake Maye

I like you. But I guess, I’d still say the SF groupings are far superior. Having said that - even if NE’s was 80% of the top choice - I’d be elated.

 

[neuronet]

And yet I could have Aiyuk for a draft pick... what does that tell you about the 49ers opinion of Aiyuk.

Deebo Samuel is already chewing up 10% of their cap space. Aiyuk on his current contract is chewing up 5%. They may just not want to overspend on WRs when they have other priorities as a really good defensive, really strong offensive running team and they don't feel like dealing with this headache. So I wouldn't read that much into it. Also, Pats aren't the 49ers, they need to reason about how he would fit into their scheme, not how the 49ers feel about him in their scheme.

Obviously I'm leaving open how he would fit in here, but 49ers have a lot of reasons they may not want to back up the Armored Truck to Aiyuk that aren't relevant to the Pats.

Rumor is considering Samuel is not irrelevant here...

NFL Rumors: Deebo Samuel reason contract talks between 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk stalled

The 49ers have an urgent decision to make on Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk amid stalled contract extension talks that could lead to a trade.

clutchpoints.com

Obviously take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Huckleberry1]

It depends how much they like cooper, yeah. Bourne does have familiarity in sf.

In terms of production it’s not even close, and Shanahan has already let Bourne walk once, and that was for next to nothing.

 

[203Pat]

That’s a big IF.
Second and Bourne seems steep.
Now second and Ju Ju seems about right.

Bourne is a solid player but would become redundant with Aiyuk on the roster. Juju is a nothing and SF likely wouldn't want him especially with his price tag.

 

[Rob0729]

Or how about don't give up a draft pick next offseason at all, just sign one of the top free agents?

What free agents do you think are going to be available to sign next year? You think the Cowboys are going to let Lamb walk for nothing? Or the Bengals letting Tee Higgins walk for nothing? Anyone who is very good and in their mid 20s will either be re-signed or tagged and traded. If the Bengals choose not to tag Higgins, there will be a dozen teams going after him with many of them in far better position to win a championship and more favorable state tax.

It is very conceivable that the top WR free agents next year are Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, and Brandin Cooks. Seriously, after the top WRs are re-signed, franchised, or traded, those might be the best options available. Do you want any of them as your solution as the #1 WR for the the next 4-6 years?

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

The problem for me is the combination of money and draft picks. They can't fill all the holes they have without draft picks.

It really doesn't matter though. I don't think he's coming here.

The draft pick argument is certainly fair. A revulsion g team giving up a first does seem asinine. But just as many people seem upset over the potential salary cap hit.

 

[signbabybrady]

Bourne would be a throw in he might not even make the cut here.

Pop, Polk, and Baker are locks. That leaves 2 spots maybe 3.

I see Bourne, Osbourne, and Juju competing for a veteran presence and one of the last two slots.

I see TY, Reagor, and whatever other young receiver I'm not thinking of competing for the other spot.

Obviously if 2 guys from either group far out plays the other then they'd go that way but choosing a vet and a younger player from that group would seem to make sense to me.

Is Cooper and the Browns 2 better than our 2? And who makes Aiyuk more happy are way bigger factors than KB.

 

[Grogan14]

Calvin Ridley is better than Aiyuk and they would not have had to trade a draft pick for him.
Would have been better to overpay for Ridley

 

[Wozzy]

Have you looked at the free agent tackle list for 2025? It’s really really weak. Their best shot is taking Will Campbell LSU, but they would have to have a top 5, and maybe even a top 3 pick to get him, if he’s the first LT off the board.

That changes every year, new players emerge unexpectedly… both in the draft and free agency.

 

[203Pat]

What free agents do you think are going to be available to sign next year? You think the Cowboys are going to walk for nothing? Or the Bengals letting Tee Higgins walk for nothing? Anyone who is very good and in their mid 20s will either be re-signed or tagged and traded. If the Bengals choose not to tag Higgins, there will be a dozen teams going after him with many of them in far better position to win a championship and more favorable state tax.

It is very conceivable that the top WR free agents next year are Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, and Brandin Cooks. Seriously, after the top WRs are re-signed, franchised, or traded, those might be the best options available. Do you want any of them as your solution as the #1 WR for the the next 4-6 years?

Some people can't get out of the bargain bin mindset. When you have Brady or Mahomes you can have guys like Valdez-Scantling, Juju, and Chris Hogan. When you have a young QB you need to find a way to get him a top flight receiver.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I like you. But I guess, I’d still say the SF groupings are far superior. Having said that - even if NE’s was 80% of the top choice - I’d be elated.

Kittle and McCaffrey are 30 and 28 years old. They are about 2 years from the cliff, McCaffrey possibly even sooner. The door is closing in SF. Age always leads to injuries.

Aiyuk, Polk, Baker, and Douglas, with Thornton/Reagor on the outside, has a lot of upside. I am not a fan of the Aiyuk trade, but that grouping has more "hope" and "potetial" at WR than the Pats have seen in a long long time.

 

[Love The Drake]

Calvin Ridley is better than Aiyuk and they would not have had to trade a draft pick for him.
Would have been better to iverpay for Ridley

Two completely different players, it’s a tough one.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

 

[farn]

Kittle and McCaffrey are 30 and 28 years old. They are about 2 years from the cliff, McCaffrey possibly even sooner. The door is closing in SF. Age always leads to injuries.

Aiyuk, Polk, Baker, and Douglas, with Thornton/Reagor on the outside, has a lot of upside. I am not a fan of the Aiyuk trade, but that grouping has more "hope" and "potetial" at WR than the Pats have seen in a long long time.

I hope you’re right. I fear the youngsters won’t be quite as electric as some posters are projecting.

Will be very glad to be wrong. But, I would say SF > NE by a sizeable margin atm.

 

[PatsFan2]

I am sure Bourne would be pissed off if he was Traded to the Team that originally Drafted him and just lost the SB in OT.

 

[Wozzy]

Deebo Samuel is already chewing up 10% of their cap space. Aiyuk on his current contract is chewing up 5%. They may just not want to overspend on WRs when they have other priorities as a really good defensive, really strong offensive running team and they don't feel like dealing with this headache. So I wouldn't read that much into it. Also, Pats aren't the 49ers, they need to reason about how he would fit into their scheme, not how the 49ers feel about him in their scheme.

Obviously I'm leaving open how he would fit in here, but 49ers have a lot of reasons they may not want to back up the Armored Truck to Aiyuk that aren't relevant to the Pats.

Rumor is considering Samuel is not irrelevant here...

NFL Rumors: Deebo Samuel reason contract talks between 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk stalled

The 49ers have an urgent decision to make on Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk amid stalled contract extension talks that could lead to a trade.

clutchpoints.com

Obviously take that with a grain of salt.

Why would they prioritize Deebo over Aiyuk… short answer, Deebo is the bigger matchup nightmare for opponents.

If he was the transcendent player people here are suggesting he was he would already be signed. The Vikings prioritized Justin Jefferson over their QB.

 

[203Pat]

Calvin Ridley is better than Aiyuk and they would not have had to trade a draft pick for him.
Would have been better to overpay for Ridley

Calvin Ridley isn't close to Aiyuk.

 

[PatsFan2]

Why would they prioritize Deebo over Aiyuk… short answer, Deebo is the bigger matchup nightmare for opponents.

If he was the transcendent player people here are suggesting he was he would already be signed. The Vikings prioritized Justin Jefferson over their QB.

Aiyuk have been statistically better the last two years where do you find your info Wozzy??

 

[Rob0729]

Some people can't get out of the bargain bin mindset. When you have Brady or Mahomes you can have guys like Valdez-Scantling, Juju, and Chris Hogan. When you have a young QB you need to find a way to get him a top flight receiver.

In fairness, the WR free agent list for 2025 is quite impressive with Lamb, Aiyuk, Godwin, Diggs, and Cooper on the list to name a few. But it is ridiculous to believe any or at least most of them will be available come free agency next year. If the Pats don't trade for Aiyuk, Cleveland likely will and that takes both Aiyuk and Cooper off the board.

But yes, to get a top WR these days, and Aiyuk is a top WR, you are most likely have to trade for him or get lucky in the draft. And the Pats have to use their first round pick next year on a LT. They have no choice. So the best they can do is trade late into the first to draft a top WR.
I am not sold on an Aiyuk trade, but I am not opposed to it. It really is what the Pats have to give up. If it is just a second, Bourne, and a conditional late round pick; I am ok with that. The contract is irrelevant.