Patriots get a small win in their trade pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk

The sweepstakes for Brandon Aiyuk heated up on Tuesday, as multiple reports confirm the Browns and the Patriots are the leading teams to trade for the talented receiver. Both teams are said to have the framework of a trade mapped out with the 49ers, but after sources claimed other teams had been ruled out of contention, the Steelers have crept back in with furthering trade talks.

While that isn't good news for the Patriots, who have been actively pursuing Aiyuk for months, they got one small win amidst all the drama.

Because reports from late Monday night said Aiyuk would have to decide between Cleveland and New England, there were talks of a no-trade clause within his contract, leading many to believe he would never choose the Patriots given their current rebuild.

However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport clarified that no such clause exists in Aiyuk's current contract, meaning the Niners could hypothetically trade him to any team they choose. He did emphasize that the team is allowing him to have a lot of say in where he goes next, which could work in the Patriots' favor.

New England might not be the most desirable place for most players to play right now, as they are in the rebuilding phase and have a rookie quarterback, but they are well-equipped to pay Aiyuk the type of contract he's been seeking. They are projected to have some of the most cap space in 2025 and beyond, and they are expected to have high draft picks next year to further sweeten the deal for San Francisco.

If Aiyuk is seeking money over anything else, there's no reason for him not to choose a trade to the Patriots. Because it seems like that has been the biggest hurdle the Niners have not been willing to jump in contract negotiations, that could be a positive for the Patriots.

However, if he has a preference in where he wants to live next, a coach he wants to play for, or a team he believes has a good chance of making the playoffs, then the Patriots are essentially eliminated. Foxboro isn't exactly an upgrade over the Bay Area, nor is playing for a first time head coach and a team not expected to win more than five games.

That doesn't favor the Steelers either, who have questionable quarterbacks and questionable chances in their division, and it doesn't bode well for the Browns either.

So, in theory, it should come down to money, which the Patriots have the most of. Unfortunately, it's not that cut and dry and as the day goes on, the chances of the Patriots pulling the trade off appears to be dwindling. But nothing is ever off the table in the NFL, so we'll just have to be impatiently patient until the news finally drops.

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