Patriots reportedly still calling on possible big receiver trade
The New England Patriots haven’t stopped calling about a possible big-name wide receiver trade.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on Tuesday that the Patriots reached out to the San Francisco 49ers on wideout Brandon Aiyuk “within the last couple of weeks,” but were told at the time that the fifth-year receiver was not being traded. That’s more notable now, because according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Aiyuk has officially requested a trade after “unsuccessful attempts to reach an extension.”
According to Over The Cap, the Patriots currently have over $43 million in salary cap space, so a new contract for Aiyuk wouldn’t remotely be an issue in that department. However, due mainly to a number of extensions handed out to internal talent in the off-season, their 2024 cash spending is more than $295 million, or about 26% over the cap.
If spending to the cap is a consideration for the Patriots, a lucrative extension for Aiyuk might be too expensive, since they’re already well over that. And that’s after trading for him, which would presumably require legitimate draft capital.
![SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a pass reception during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/05/GettyImages-1712190007_1715624325_.jpg?w=1024)
For comparison’s sake, the Dolphins acquired Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs in 2022 for first, second, and fourth-round picks in the 2022 draft, plus a future fourth and a future sixth. As for money, Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson recently reset the market with an extension worth $35 million per season.
Aiyuk has neither the talent nor production of Hill or Jefferson, so the cost of a trade-and-extension would almost certainly be less than theirs. However, Aiyuk finished the 2023 season seventh in receiving yards (1,342), second in yards per catch (17.9), and 10th in passer rating when targeted (124.0).
So, Aiyuk’s camp can make a case to be paid within the top-10 receivers in the league. Based on average salary, Aiyuk would have to top D.K. Metcalf’s $24 million to crack that list (via Spotrac).
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Aiyuk may be a tier below the aforementioned Jefferson and Hill in the hierarchy of NFL receivers, but on the Patriots, he would immediately become their No. 1 target. Aiyuk’s body control, catch radius, and fearlessness over the middle of the field would make him a good fit for Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, whenever he eventually starts.
Since the Patriots are reportedly calling the Niners about Aiyuk’s availability, it’s not a total pipe dream that he could be acquired. It’s just a question of how expensive it would get for Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf, and whether he’d be priced out.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.