Patriots emerging as potential Brandon Aiyuk trade partner amid WR's stalled contract talks, claims 49ers insider
Brandon Aiyuk's contract talks with the 49ers seem no closer to being resolved and trade possibilities are now officially on the table with teams like the Patriots and the Browns being reported as possible destinations. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports identified these two teams as making the most sense in the current market.
Since the 49ers are targeting winning the Super Bowl this season, trading away a top receiver just in exchange for draft picks does not make sense. They are under no obligation to sell Brandon Aiyuk unless they can get another veteran receiver in return. Maiocco wrote,
"The Patriots are another logical trade partner for the 49ers. The Patriots could offer former 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne as part of a trade that includes an enticing package of 2025 draft picks."
He identified Kendrick Bourne as the player who can do a job instead of Brandon Aiyuk, who can then go the other way.
Browns another possibility for Brandon Aiyuk other than Patriots if he leaves 49ers
Another possibility could be a trade involving Amari Cooper for Brandon Aiyuk, The 49ers could get similar production and some draft picks, while the Browns would get a younger receiver. Maiocco wrote,
"Cooper, 30, is coming off a season in which he caught 72 passes for 1,250 yards and five touchdowns with the Browns. He has seven 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year NFL career... The Browns would be getting Aiyuk, 26, a younger player who has improved every season he’s been in the NFL. Last year, he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He was selected as a second-team AP All-Pro."
All of these could be a moot point if the player and the 49ers can get to a deal. Earlier in the offseason, it had not looked as hard as it does now. But then the wide receiver market blew up with Justin Jefferson signing a $35 million per year deal and Brandon Aiyuk also demanded that he be paid according to that.
The current offer from San Francisco is reported to be a little below $30 million per year. When one looks at the numbers, that is just shy of what Tyreek Hill will be getting so it seems fair. But the Dolphins player is older and someone like Amon-Ra St. Brown is also getting slightly above $30 million a year. That is why Aiyuk might be holding out for a better number before deciding his future.