Brandon Aiyuk gives Patriots fans new hope for blockbuster trade

A lot has happened with the Patriots since the start of the offseason, but one thing that remains a big talking point is their lack of star power on offense, more specifically, their receiving corps.

Because of their desirable draft positioning and having among the most cap spaces in free agency, the new regime was believed to make a big move to bring in the talent they needed. They attempted to do so by signing Calvin Ridley, only for him to choose the Titans instead.

There was then speculation that they might make a move in the draft by trading for a guy like 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk or Bengals' Tee Higgins, but they were reportedly never serious about getting a deal done for either player.

Although adding a true WR1 to the roster didn't seem like a priority, they did sign K.J. Osborn in free agency and drafted Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk, all of whom are expected to be upgrades on the roster. The problem is that none are the game-changers the offense needs, especially for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

So that leads us to a new development with the Aiyuk situation, who the Patriots should be monitoring even if they don't immediately plan to make a move.

Brandon Aiyuk gives Patriots fans new hope for blockbuster trade

Despite San Francisco's insistence that they have no plans to trade Aiyuk this offseason, their lack of negotiations with the receiver seems to suggest otherwise. They already signed a new deal for Christian McCaffrey, making him among the highest-paid running backs in the league, so they have been active in contract talks this offseason.

For some reason, their efforts with Aiyuk are at a standstill, and Aiyuk has now shared that the 49ers don't want him.

In a TikTok video posted this week, Aiyuk is seen on FaceTime with former teammate and now Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. He alludes to the rookie that the 49ers don't want him back, making the video go viral and his status in the Bay Area questionable at best.

What exactly he means with his implication is hard to say. It could be that the 49ers are, in fact, not looking to extend him beyond the 2024 season. Or it could mean their offer wasn't viewed that they plan to keep him in Aiyuk's eyes.

Regardless, it might be another opportunity for the Patriots to make a call and see where the 49ers' brass are and if the receiver could potentially be dealt. New England has the money to pay him now and in the future, and he could be the exact player the offense needs to put them over the top.

It's an idea that even Kendrick Bourne likes, who played with Aiyuk in San Francisco prior to signing with the Patriots three years ago. He fits the mold of the direction Mayo and Eliot Wolf are hoping to go with, as they want to create a young and hungry team, which Aiyuk fits to a T.

But at the same time, they might have competition for him since he was on the phone with Daniels because the Commanders also have around $45 million in cap space to use before the 2024 season. If that's the case, the Patriots will need to move fast.

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