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

[Ross12]

My gut tells me this whole thing is gonna fall apart and Aiyuk is gonna either get way less than what NE was offering or will just get nothing at all and be stuck playing for SF this year and maybe more.

 

[Real fan 02]

It also is. They make a decision based on where they want to play, as well as the amount of money they're being paid, the head coach, and the teammates they're going to be playing with.

All things being equal, they'll go to the environment they prefer, which is what that caliber of player is able to do. Same reason why Calvin Ridley didn't want to come here. Had nothing to do with the $$ because the Patriots were where they needed to be, but were ultimately leveraged to allow Ridley and his wife to remain down south and stay close to family, while also allowing Ridley to play with Hopkins (who he mentioned specifically after the signing).

It is what it is, unfortunately.

After digesting all the information. I'd had absolutely loved to have had him. However he turned down his own team that offered him 27 in the beginning. The millionaire tax is a real determining factor for players here. Anyhow I like the promise of what polk and baker can be. If they play well as rookies Drake will be set up well next season when he takes over. For now I'm rooting for Jacoby to play well and get this team to look at least marginal on offense.

 

[Real fan 02]

I like that the organization is looking to get Maye comfortable under center to be able to run play action and punish teams for selling out to stop the run. As long as the team does not fall behind by multiple scores the QB can function in a team concept.

That's right. Fundamentally running the ball and stopping the run... when we did that in the early 2000s that's how we won championships. I'm looking for polk and baker to have Givens and branch type impacts this season.

 

[Real fan 02]

Can't Blame him though going from the First Offense to the Worse Offense statistically is a significant drop off. Aiyuk is a real Human being it not all about the $$$$$$ for him gotta call it like it is.

What we had last season wasn't offense it was offensive... PF2.. I'm telling you my brother I know the idea of getting ayuik was a great feeling... but we may be better off letting polk, pop and baker all grow together... think of this currently pop is getting the best CB... that opens up everything for polk in the middle and baker to get behind the secondary...

 

[Patsgofor4]

Would have been excited to get Aiyuk but I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic about the WR group of Bourne, Douglas, Osborn, Polk, Baker, Boutte/Thornton. That optimism may not be rewarded early in the season, but I think that the group has potential.

 

[hornetfb85]

I’m on board with letting Polk, Douglas and Baker play a ton. Get Maye some late season playing time. Fix the OL next off season and move forward with Maye in 2025.

 

[Ross12]

Sucks to be spurned by Aiyuk but this does get the word out to other WRs that the Pats are willing to pay big for a number 1 with specific numbers getting out there. That may stoke potential interest from guys who will hit free agency next year or become available for trade. Especially if the team looks like less of a dumpster fire this year.

 

[sb1]

Sucks to be spurned by Aiyuk but this does get the word out to other WRs that the Pats are willing to pay big for a number 1 with specific numbers getting out there. That may stoke potential interest from guys who will hit free agency next year or become available for trade. Especially if the team looks like less of a dumpster fire this year.

That thought crossed my mind too.

I wonder how much that sets the market if at all.

 

[KCSVEN]

Would have been excited to get Aiyuk but I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic about the WR group of Bourne, Douglas, Osborn, Polk, Baker, Boutte/Thornton. That optimism may not be rewarded early in the season, but I think that the group has potential.

Baker is the wild card, can't wait to see him in games and the joint practice with the Eagles. He just seems to stand out, and not just for his confidence. Most exciting WR prospect we've had here in a long time. Hope he's the real deal.

 

[upstater1]

After digesting all the information. I'd had absolutely loved to have had him. However he turned down his own team that offered him 27 in the beginning. The millionaire tax is a real determining factor for players here. Anyhow I like the promise of what polk and baker can be. If they play well as rookies Drake will be set up well next season when he takes over. For now I'm rooting for Jacoby to play well and get this team to look at least marginal on offense.

We over-emphasize the importance of taxes when you consider only half the paychecks are taxed by the state.

There's a 3% difference between the Patriots and Pittsburgh x 50% = $480k difference over the whole contract (and of course, you can still subtract local taxes from income, so effectively this is even less of a loss)
There's a 4% difference between the Patriots and Cleveland x 50%
San Francisco is 4% more expensive than the Patriots.

I don't think players are all that concerned about $100k difference per year over 4 years.

And if they are, teams can easily make that up with a $100k bump per year.

It's a non-issue.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

We over-emphasize the importance of taxes when you consider only half the paychecks are taxed by the state.

There's a 3% difference between the Patriots and Pittsburgh x 50% = $480k difference over the whole contract (and of course, you can still subtract local taxes from income, so effectively this is even less of a loss)
There's a 4% difference between the Patriots and Cleveland x 50%
San Francisco is 4% more expensive than the Patriots.

I don't think players are all that concerned about $100k difference per year over 4 years.

And if they are, teams can easily make that up with a $100k bump per year.

It's a non-issue.

I think you're forgetting the 4% surtax on income over $1M. And that 4% increases annually for inflation.

 

[Froob]

Sucks to be spurned by Aiyuk but this does get the word out to other WRs that the Pats are willing to pay big for a number 1 with specific numbers getting out there. That may stoke potential interest from guys who will hit free agency next year or become available for trade. Especially if the team looks like less of a dumpster fire this year.

It’d help if we looked more like an nfl team and less like Iowa football on offense.

 

[Zuma]

It’d help if we looked more like an nfl team and less like Iowa football on offense.

With broken down Russel Wilson or Fields as a QB instead like the Steelers? Or could be taxes or perceived racism or just not enough brown nosing…who knows.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Forget Ayuck. Just keep building through the draft.

The 2024 Pats are a 6 - 8 win team at best, so they should be picking in a good spot again in 2025.

8 win team?

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm, skeptical that they're going to be in a better position next year as far as being a "destination". I expect us to have a terrible record again. Maye is a raw prospect and we don't have a good team around him so if he does play, I expect him to play poorly. Not saying that to imply he was a bad pick or won't ultimately end up a good player, I just think the year 1 performance isn't going to be a day 1 wonder.

I'm optimistic about the interior OL. Andrews is still quality at C. Sow seems to be developing really well at LG. Onwenu is an ok RT but can be a great RG. Embrace that. Don't try to chase sunk cost with Strange because he's a JAG. Don't go for the short term appeasement of putting Onwenu at RT, just keep him at RG. I expect Henry to continue to be solid at TE. I think Gibson is going to be a nice find for us as a receiving back. I think Baker/Polk/Douglas are all going to be "hits" at WR.

HOWEVER, Our OT play is abysmal. Team-crippling level of trash. While I like our developmental WRs, I can't see any of them being an NFL level #1 option next year if ever. Honestly, for this year, I think it's a stretch to think they'd be strong #2s even. Jacoby Brissett is a terrible starting QB and like I said, if Maye has to play he's a project who probably isn't good in terms of winning games this year. Poor QB play, dreadful pass protection, no receiving threats that dictate coverages a defense can play... that's a recipe for another ****-show on offense.

My guess is that next year we're in largely the same spot in trying to attract talent. We'll probably need another year of focusing on the draft, mostly sitting on the cap space to roll over, etc. But hopefully you develop last year's draft class (Douglas, Gonzalez, Sow, Keion White and maybe Mapu or Bolden show something this year) and find some progress with this year's class (Maye developing behind the scenes, Polk/Baker looking NFL caliber even if not #1s, Wallace maybe proving a worthy developmental player at OT even if not instant hit). And then next year you need to have another good draft with continued development of the last 2. And then, hopefully you have enough of an infrastructure for Maye to show encouraging signs and enough talent in place where you're viewed as a team ready to turn it around.

 

[Ring 6]

Both Teams are more talented than us a horse shoe fell out Zappe @ss after that win against the Steelers last year.

Well since we chose to sit out 43,000,000 worth of talent they probably are but it doesn’t have to be that way.
And Washington is awful, no one is choosing them because if talent.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Would of been nice to have him. No idea how he would have done here. Clearly an upgrade for sure but watching him over there with McCaffrey, Kittle, D Samuel etc, it’s tough to gauge how good he was. A number 1 on this team? Assuredly. Kudos for exploring the idea. Looks like they will roll with what they got which looks to be a pretty exciting group so it should be fun to watch.

Maybe in a couple of seasons this place again will be a place free agents strive to go? But in the meantime they just got to put the work in at every level in the organization and get better for the time being. Corny baseball movie lines here. “Build it and they will come.” As fans, all of us remember when players would take less just to play here, spurning the lesser team in the process. We’re just on the other end of it now unfortunately. Anyway, 6 rings in a 20 year time frame is pretty amazing. Keep plugging away.

 

[Dec54]

UNPRECEDENTED.

Stupid

 

[Ring 6]

They did add talent this year. Both years they desperately needed WR help. Last year, they spent all their early picks on defense. I cannot blame them for drafting Gonzalez because he is a potential HOFer. But Keion White was a luxury pick.

This year they spent all their top picks on offense like they needed.

Again, their needs are on offense and free agency was devoid of offensive talent. Who do you think they should have signed that they didn't try to sign on offense? Here is the NFL list of top free agents. Name the offensive players that weren't re-signed with their new team that they didn't totally whiff on.

Top 101 NFL free agents of 2024: The original ranking

What talent did they add? They spent all the top picks on offense in 2022 also.
There were many good players in free agency, I’ve already give a list twice.
Is your argument that there was no one better than the offensive players we have? Seriously?

 

[Ring 6]

It also is. They make a decision based on where they want to play, as well as the amount of money they're being paid, the head coach, and the teammates they're going to be playing with.

All things being equal, they'll go to the environment they prefer, which is what that caliber of player is able to do. Same reason why Calvin Ridley didn't want to come here. Had nothing to do with the $$ because the Patriots were where they needed to be, but were ultimately leveraged to allow Ridley and his wife to remain down south and stay close to family, while also allowing Ridley to play with Hopkins (who he mentioned specifically after the signing).

It is what it is, unfortunately.

Im saying Aiyuk isn’t picking Pittsburgh or Washington because of their qb or roster.

We still disagree that it had nothing to do with dollars. You list other factors, but money is at least equal or higher. Kraft giving excuses doesn’t convince me.