The Patriots were one of the teams which worked out the framework of a trade for Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers wideout is not interested in playing for New England, however, a stance which he appears to also hold with the Browns. 
As a result, the Patriots are reported to be out of the running to land Aiyuk. New England made a concerted effort to sign Calvin Ridley in free agency, and the team likewise had a major financial commitment ready in Aiyuk’s case. The latter could have signed for as much as $32MM per season on a long-term deal, but his choice is now down to the 49ers or the Steelers. With New England’s attention once again on in-house receiving options, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf confirmed a renewed Aiyuk push will not take place.
“Yeah, just kind of a feel,’ Wolf said when speaking to the media about the 26-year-old’s situation (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “It was sort of a situation where he’s still in San Francisco, and that hasn’t been worked out from their standpoint yet. But we just felt, organizationally, our young receivers have had a really good week, and they’re continuing to progress, so we’re excited about those guys.”
Indeed, the Patriots have made a number of receiver investments via the draft in recent years. The likes of Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker have all been added via that route since 2023. Those players, along with returnee Kendrick Bourne and free agent addition K.J. Osborn will compete for targets in a receiver room which no longer includes JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Like Ridley, Aiyuk would have provided New England with a considerable boost in the passing game. The Arizona State product has increased his production each season, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after he posted 75 receptions and a 17.9 yards per catch average. Neither the 49ers nor the Steelers have been willing to match New England’s offer from a financial standpoint, but signs continue to point to San Francisco retaining Aiyuk being the likeliest outcome in his saga.
In the meantime, the Patriots’ attention will turn to the quarterback situation. Third overall pick Drake Maye has made progress during training camp and the preseason, and the door is still open to him supplanting veteran Jacoby Brissett as the starter before Week 1. Whichever passer is in place to start the season, though, Aiyuk will not be part of the team’s receiving corps.
How does Aiyuk get to nix a trade? Does he have a no-trade clause? I thought sending him to CLE for Amari Cooper was a good deal for both sides. Or is the SF GM smiling because now he’s stuck there? Either way, sounds like his agent is giving him bad advice, or Aiyuk is being an idiot.
He can’t but if he tells a team he won’t sign a long term contract with them then that team says no to the deal no team want to throw a draft pick down the drain if they player will leave at the end of the season or has a hissy fit if he get franchised
Right but he’s screwing himself by doing that. That’s the whole point of getting more money by shopping.
Wolfs a clown we are ok walking away because “we just felt, organizationally, our young receivers have had a really good week” hell Thornton had a good week so did Harry at some point but they both suc so what’s ur point
He’s not a clown, but his boss is a cheap schmuck.