Cleveland Browns News & Rumors

9:18pm: The Patriots have removed themselves from the Aiyuk sweepstakes. According to Schefter, New England has “decided not to explore any further trade possibilities” with the 49ers. The reporter adds that the Patriots are “excited” about their young wideouts and want to “focus on them.” That grouping includes 2023 sixth-round picks DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte, plus 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round).

While the Patriots may be touting their youth, it may not have been the team’s decision to pivot from an Aiyuk trade. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Patriots had a deal in place with the 49ers but Aiyuk didn’t show interest in going to New England.

2:50pm: Tuesday has provided further developments on the Brandon Aiyuk front. The 49ers wideout continues his hold-in effort while multiple teams are engaged in trade negotiations.

It was learned last night that the framework of an agreement had been worked out between San Francisco and both Cleveland and New England. That has left the Browns and Patriots as teams to watch closely, but they are not the only ones still in the running. The Steelers re-engaged in talks earlier today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Pittsburgh has frequently been mentioned as a landing spot for Aiyuk this offseason. The 26-year-old named Pittsburgh (along with Washington) as a destination which interested him, although his public remarks at that time suggested he would remain in the Bay Area for 2024. Since then, extension talks with the 49ers have not progressed, fueling Aiyuk’s formal trade request and his subsequent hold-in efforts.

The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers this offseason, one in which veteran Allen Robinson was released. While the team did select Roman Wilson in the third round of the draft, adding an accomplished wideout has long been named as a remaining team priority. General manager Omar Khan recently said no moves on that front were imminent, but remaining in the hunt for Aiyuk means Pittsburgh could still manage to swing a deal.

As for the Steelers’ competition in the Aiyuk sweepstakes, the Patriots remain a contender as they have been for quite some time. New England was among the teams which discussed a receiver trade with San Francisco at the draft, although the subject at that time was Deebo Samuel. The 49ers’ other starting wideout has two years remaining on his contract, whereas Aiyuk is attached to the fifth-year option for the coming campaign. The Arizona State product is seeking a long-term deal at a price higher than what San Francisco is willing to authorize, and the latest wave of trade discussion has led to the expectation a trade will be more likely than a 49ers resolution.

Notably, veteran NFL insider Josina Anderson reports the Patriots have not upped their offer from where it has been “for a while.” The Browns’ ability to acquire Aiyuk would hinge on draft capital added to an offer including five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper. Cooper had his Cleveland accord enhanced recently, but he remains a pending free agent. Adding him to the mix would nevertheless represent a win-now move from the 49ers’ perspective, something which must be kept in mind given their Super Bowl window being open at the moment.

Echoing his reporting from Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo states a trade remains a distinct possibility in this case relative to where things stood in previous days (video link). He notes the sense that a deal is getting “closer,” while adding no team can safely be considered out of the running altogether. How the Steelers, Patriots and Browns in particular proceed in the immediate future will thus remain worth watching closely.

Of course, at least two other teams are believed to be prepared to meet Aiyuk’s asking price, which will likely check in around $30MM per season as a result of the latest surge in the WR market. Aiyuk has a pecking order in terms of preferred landing spots, per Garafolo, although without a no-trade clause he does not have the power to veto a deal. Whether or not a final trade agreement will be struck remains a critical unanswered question as training camps roll on.