Patriots

Report: Patriots are unlikely to trade for Brandon Aiyuk

"You're not just talking about draft pick compensation now, you're talking about something on the other end of it, which is a massive, massive contract"

Brandon Aiyuk. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

May 3, 2024

Brandon Aiyuk is probably not coming to the Patriots, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Aiyuk has been mentioned as a potential trade target for New England, which could still use upgrades to its wide receiver room.

Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne mentioned Aiyuk as one of the players he would like to see the Patriots acquire. The pair were teammates in San Fransisco.

But, changes in the wide receiver market may make the trade less feasible, according to Breer.

“I would say it’s unlikely,” Breer said during a recent episode of NBC Sports Boston’s Arbella Early Edition. “I think what made things more difficult was the contracts that were signed by Amon Ra St. Brown, $28 million a year – A.J. Brown, $32 million a year – you’re not just talking about draft pick compensation now, you’re talking about something on the other end of it, which is a massive, massive contract.”

Aiyuk has one year left on his contract, which means any team that trades for him would have a pretty strong interest in extending his contract to ensure that they’re not just renting him for a year.

The capital it would take to bring in a player along with a big-time contract extension would be a steep price for the Patriots to pay.

“If you’re going to trade for one of these guys, they have the leverage in contract negotiations,” Breer said. “They say, ‘I’m only going there if I’m getting $32 million, $33 million, $34 million per year.’ Do you want to allot the majority of the $50 million or so that a quarterback on a rookie contract would give you to that one player?”

Chances are that Aiyuk stays in San Fransisco, Breer said.

“I think it’s more likely those guys end up sticking on their team,” Breer said of Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. “I actually would say right now, just talking to some people out there, I’d say Deebo Samuel is much more available than Brandon Aiyuk right now.”