Radio host says Patriots losing trade for Brandon Aiyuk will be another failure

Since Jerod Mayo made the mistake of declaring the Patriots were going to "burn some cash" this offseason, there have been a lot of expectations for him to deliver by signing top-name players to the 2024 roster. Much of that has focused on bringing in a big-name wide receiver, especially now that they have Drake Maye as the quarterback of the future.

Fans saw what happened with Mac Jones and the lack of sufficient offense around him, so there is a strong desire to avoid that at all costs. So, signing the caliber of the receiver would, at the very least, help ensure that won't happen.

The team attempted to do so by heavily pursuing Calvin Ridley in free agency, only to lose their chance when he chose to sign with the Titans, just like DeAndre Hopkins did last year. Because Tee Higgins doesn't appear to be on the move and the remaining free agent options aren't enticing, it looks like the Patriots' only option will be to trade for the receiver the team needs.

That's where Brandon Aiyuk comes in.

Since he requested a trade again earlier this week, New England has been named the favorite to acquire him due to their healthy cap space this year and next and their need for an upgrade at the position. They have spoken to the 49ers a few times this offseason, including as recently as this month, which has heightened fans' hopes that a trade will get done.

They're clearly in the mix, even if San Francisco insists they're not trading Aiyuk. But now a Boston radio host is declaring that if Aiyuk is moved and it's not to the Patriots, it will be another team failure.

Boston radio host says the Patriots will be a failure if they miss out on Brandon Aiyuk

While discussing the recent developments surrounding Aiyuk, Marc Bertrand of 98.5 The Sports Hub spoke about the importance of wide receivers in today's NFL and the Patriots' need to catch up with the rest of the league.

He mentioned their failed attempt at signing Calvin Ridley, blaming their lack of sufficient offer as the reason he chose to go to Tennessee instead, and feels they need to do anything and everything to get Aiyuk, or else it's their latest failure.

"The league has pretty clearly told you what it values, and the league values these players now for good reason. That’s why they’re getting paid the way they’re getting paid, and the Patriots need to get with the times. They need to catch up. So here’s a chance to do it. I’ll be pissed if he goes anywhere else. And I’m not even, I haven’t been banging the table for Brandon Aiyuk. I think he’s a good player. He’d be their best offensive weapon right away.

But if he goes somewhere else, now I’m going to be mad because that means you struck out again on a wide receiver. You’ve made the call multiple times. You know what it’s going to take. Supreme, high-end draft capital and money. You don’t pick up the phone without knowing that. So let’s go, New England. Keep calling. Call him every day. Annoy the hell out of John Lynch."

To a degree, he makes a fair point since the Patriots have long wanted to add a top-name receiver to the team. Bill Belichick didn't prioritize that, although he attempted to do so by signing Antonio Brown in 2019 and drafting players he thought would become something bigger than they are.

He also did all that he could to sway Hopkins last year, resulting in the receiver's multi-day trip to the stadium, only to be outbid by another team at the last second.

If Mayo and the new regime want to prove they're on a new path to a new era, successfully trading for a player of Aiyuk's caliber would certainly do the trick. But there's also an argument to be made that now is not the time to pull this off, as the 2024 season is not expected to be a competitive year for the Patriots.

So, instead of ridding themselves of top draft capital, they could hold off until next offseason to see their options, whether Tee Higgins in free agency or waiting until the draft to select the player they believe can fill the WR1 role.

It's a lot for Mayo and Eliot Wolf to consider, but it seems obvious they are trying to improve the roster this year with their persistent inquiries about Aiyuk. So it will be fascinating to see what comes of it all the rest of the summer.

More Patriots coverage: