George Kittle just made Patriots rethink everything about a Brandon Aiyuk trade

After the Patriots made a significant offer in a trade for Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 offseason, which was allegedly declined by the wide receiver, most have backed off the idea of revisiting a move to get the WR1 in Foxboro.

For the most part, the rumors surrounding his behavior since he signed an extension with the 49ers are enough to agree that he isn't the right guy for what the Patriots need. But hearing from his current teammate, George Kittle, adds a bit more context that could pave the way to reopen a potential trade.

Although he might not be the slam dunk trade or possible free agent signing that fans were looking for this offseason, mostly due to him missing the entire 2025 season from an ACL injury suffered the season before, he's still an option to improve their receiving corps that they won't get out of any remaining unsigned player.

And now hearing from George Kittle only sparks the potential interest even more.

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During a recent appearance on the "Bussin' with the Boys" podcast, Kittle spoke about his relationship with Aiyuk and revealed they were still working out together until rumors about the 49ers' higher-ups expressing regret over his contract extension.

Within his answer, Kittle suggested that was when things went downhill, rather than Aiyuk just going off the rails like the 49ers have seemingly implied was the case.

"The last time I saw [Brandon] Aiyuk, he was kinda at training camp, kinda not and then he was in and out of the building throughout the first couple of weeks. Then I started going out to see him in the weight room because he didn’t go into the locker room or the training room anymore. He would just go into the weight room to do his rehab. I would go there and talk to him because he didn’t go to meetings or anything like that.

I started doing that Week 6, and then a week later, that story came out about all the crazy stuff, and then I didn’t see him again. He did text me after I got hurt and said 'thinking of ya' and I said thanks, dude.”

If what Kittle is saying is true, then Aiyuk's behavior is far more understandable than just a guy flying off the handle for absolutely no reason. That doesn't mean his behavior was necessarily okay, but it does explain why.

That, at the very least, makes a potential trade for him a bit less concerning for Patriots fans, especially since he could easily become a solid option for Drake Maye to work with for some time.

The problem is that if the Patriots do have interest in getting him to Foxboro, they'll face competition from the Commanders, which is rumored to be Aiyuk's preferred destination. If he has any say in a trade, he will likely pass on the Patriots again for where he wants to be.

Perhaps that is more likely to deter the Patriots from expressing any interest in a trade again, and for that reason, it would be difficult to argue that they're wrong.