Patriots have perfect 2025 backup plan after failed Brandon Aiyuk pursuit

When Eliot Wolf first declared his intention of "weaponizing the offense" upon the Patriots hiring him for essentially general manager duties, there was a sense of uncertainty if the new regime in New England would deliver on that promise.

Given Bill Belichick's long history of hesitancy in bringing top names to the team during his 24-year tenure, it seemed too good to be true that the staff replacing the legendary head coach would actually do what fans had long begged for. But Wolf didn't take long to back up his big statement.

Besides re-signing and extending some of the Patriots' top players to hefty contracts at the start of free agency, Wolf heavily pursued receiver Calvin Ridley, who was set to test the market after a short stint with the Jaguars. He was considered the top receiver available, and since the Patriots needed that caliber of player, they went all in on their pursuit, offering Ridley a multi-year contract worth around $22 million per season.

Although they lost their bid for him, it proved the new regime was willing to go all in to bring the best talent available to the team.

That's the same approach they took when going after Brandon Aiyuk, whom they had expressed interest in before the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite the 49ers' persistent rejection of trade offers, Wolf remained in contact with the team, which fast-tracked the Patriots to the front of the line once GM John Lynch decided Aiyuk could explore a trade with teams earlier this week.

Now that they have backed out of the offer they had on the table, which reportedly would have made Aiyuk a top-5 paid receiver in the league, the Patriots will have to explore other options to fulfill their goal of weaponizing the offense.

Fortunately, they will have an equally (if not more) talented receiver to pursue next year.

Patriots could target CeeDee Lamb in 2025 if Cowboys don't pay him

Another top receiver who has been vying for a contract extension this offseason is Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb. Like Aiyuk, negotiations haven't gone as well as Lamb had hoped, forcing him to begin a holdout as training camp began.

With his Dallas future remaining unclear and his rookie contract expiring at the end of the season, the Patriots could have a better backup plan to pursue Lamb than their initial hope of trading for Aiyuk.

Since being drafted in 2020, the 25-year-old has quickly and easily become one of the best talents in the league. He has recorded three seasons in a row of 1,000+ receiving yards (topping 1,700 yards last year alone) and a total of 32 touchdowns.

He has been Dak Prescott's number-one target, which has ascended him into the upper echelon of the league, warranting a top-of-the-game salary.

Because the Patriots are eyeing adding a clear WR1 and are willing to pay him a salary to match, there's no reason for them not to pursue Lamb if he enters free agency next year. Wolf has made it clear he will go all-in to acquire a talent of his caliber, and if Lamb wants to get paid, the Patriots have the funds and the roster vacancy to entice him.

It could be a better situation than their initial plan for Aiyuk, as Lamb is widely considered a better receiver. But the Patriots will need a promising 2024 to convince him it would be a worthy team to sign with.

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