Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SPORTS
The Patriots will not be trading for star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after all.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday night that the team has decided to pull out of the running for Aiyuk and are “excited about their young receivers and want to focus on them.”
Sources: After inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk’s availability, the Patriots have decided not to explore any further trade possibilities with the 49ers regarding their standout wide receiver. Patriots are excited about their young receivers and want to focus on them.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2024
The Patriots were reportedly offering Aiyuk north of $30 million dollars per season on a contract extension but he did not want to come to New England. It is yet another sign that New England is no longer a destination location.
Aiyuk is the third receiver in the past year to rebuff the Patriots. DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley both chose the Titans over the Patriots and now Aiyuk said no thanks.
It will be tough to attract free agents during the rebuild but it is not just that. States like Florida, Tennessee and Texas have no state income tax, athletes can make more money. It might not have mattered to Aiyuk, but it will to others.
The other issue is the uncertainty at the quarterback position. Is Drake Maye going to be the guy? It is too esrly to tell so free agents are leery about signing here.
Now the Patriots go into the season with Kendrick Bourne, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, Pop Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and K.J Osborn as their likely receiving corp. The group has potential but there is no Aiyuk in the receiver room.
Regardless of how you think it played out, you have to give Eliot Wolf credit for taking his shot. He truly wants to weaponize the offense. He has tried.
The only good thing is, the Patriots can now allocate the resoures they would have put into Aiyuk’s contract into other positions and other players.