Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors: Patriots Not Interested in 49ers Star, WR Not Interested in NE Deal | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

The New England Patriots have reportedly pulled out of trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers involving wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Mat Maiocco NBC Sports added that the Patriots “had an agreement with the 49ers and had a big offer on the table for Aiyuk, but he showed no interest in going there.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier on Tuesday that the Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns were in “active trade discussions” with the 49ers regarding Aiyuk.

Aiyuk, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, has requested a transfer after contract negotiations with the team failed to result in a long-term extension.

The Patriots were reportedly “willing to make Aiyuk one of the top five highest-paid receivers, on average, per year,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss said in an interview with ESPN. Sports Center appearance Tuesday.

New England now appears to be moving on Aiyuk, putting more of the spotlight on the Steelers and Browns.

Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023 after posting a 78/1,015/8 stat line in 2022. It’s clear that Aiyuk is in line for a big payday, whether that’s in San Francisco or elsewhere.

But signs point to that being the case elsewhere. ESPN’s Mike Reiss and Nick Wagoner reported Tuesday that the 49ers “are now willing to listen to trade offers for Brandon Aiyuk and have given the star wide receiver permission to negotiate a contract with other teams.”

Both the Steelers and Browns would make sense. In Pittsburgh, Aiyuk would be the clear No. 1 option for a passing offense that has largely stalled since Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown came to town together. In Cleveland, Aiyuk could form a dynamic duo with Amari Cooper to perhaps help a struggling Deshaun Watson return to his old Houston Texans form.

Ultimately, Aiyuk remains the name to watch most as a potential transfer candidate as the regular season, which begins on September 5, quickly approaches.