New England Patriots - NESN.com
The Patriots whiffed on their attempt to trade for Brandon Aiyuk over a year ago, but could they get another chance?
New England aggressively pursued Aiyuk during August of 2024 amid the star receiver’s contract drama with the 49ers. They even reportedly had a deal in place with San Francisco — including a massive contract extension — but Aiyuk rejected the Patriots and the also-interested Cleveland Browns. Aiyuk, who was open to joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, eventually rescinded his trade request and re-signed with the 49ers. Just two months later, the 2020 first-round pick suffered a major knee injury and hasn’t played since.
But that was then, and this is now. And, well, now it sounds like Aiyuk’s 49ers career basically is over.
Last Friday, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic published a bombshell story about Aiyuk and the 49ers heading for a “stunning divorce.” Most notably, the two insiders reported that a release, rather than a trade, is “expected,” meaning the Patriots and other potential suitors seemingly could land Aiyuk on a major discount.
“It’s now likely that (Aiyuk) has played his last game with the franchise, according to numerous sources briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation,” Russini and Silver wrote. “Some in the organization are holding out hope that the relationship can be salvaged enough for him to return this season. However, multiple sources believe that a reconciliation is unlikely.
But would Mike Vrabel and company even want the 27-year-old?
Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf obviously did. But New England’s top personnel decision-makers now are Vrabel and Ryan Cowden, and it’s fair to wonder whether either would want Aiyuk, given the details of the story and that he hasn’t played a snap since October of 2024.
“Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication,” Russini and Silver wrote.
“The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season’s end.”
With Vrabel leading the charge, the Patriots are trying to build a culture of accountability, hard work and togetherness. And Aiyuk doesn’t sound like a great fit.
“It was expected that Aiyuk could return for the latter part of this season, but he has remained on the PUP list,” Russini and Silver wrote. “His presence at the team’s training facility has become scarce; sources say Aiyuk typically works out early in the morning and departs before other 49ers players arrive. Numerous members of the organization — including some 49ers players — have reached out to Aiyuk in recent weeks in...
