Late Monday night, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the San Francisco 49ers “have the framework of a Brandon Aiyuk trade with both the Browns and Patriots.”
Maiocco is reporting a source tells him that the ball is now in Aiyuk’s court, and it is up to him to “determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises.” He is also reporting that his source says the 49ers gave the 26-year-old receiver permission to negotiate potential contract extensions with the Patriots, Browns, Commanders and Steelers.
Maiocco also reports that his source told him that the Commanders have removed themselves from trade talks, and that the Steelers are no longer a realistic landing spot as they are unwilling to meet the 49ers' trade demands.
According to Maiocco, the 49ers will likely acquire both a veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks from either the Browns or Patriots.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com is reporting that the Browns are in the mix for Aiyuk because of a big piece they're dangling - five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
The Patriots do not have a wide receiver trade chip on the roster close to Cooper's caliber, so it will be interesting to see what the potential package from New England could include. But if we are to go by Maiocco's reporting, it appears this will ultimately come down to Aiyuk picking the contract offer he likes best between the Patriots and Browns.
Through five years in the NFL, Aiyuk has played in 62 games, amassing 3,931 receiving yards, 269 catches and 25 touchdowns. 2023 was arguably the best of his career, with a career-high in receiving yards (1,342) and a career-best 12.8 yards per target. Aiyuk was among the best big-play receivers in the NFL last season, a point best punctuated by his 76-yard touchdown catch against the Buccaneers during week 11.
Regardless of who is playing quarterback this season for the Patriots, the addition of Aiyuk would be a welcomed one.