Bertrand: It’s a failure if Patriots don’t land Brandon Aiyuk

Zolak and Bertrand discuss San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk officially requesting a trade from the franchise after the sides failed to reach a new deal during contract negotiations this offseason. The Patriots have reportedly been interested in Aiyuk since the start of the offseason, and it appears now is never a better time to strike.

Of course, that means the Patriots have to give up enough capital — draft picks and money — to successfully land Aiyuk, who is eligible to sign an extension as he prepares for the final year of his rookie contract.

Bertrand: So they've got to do it. That's it. If he moves, make it New England. You've called him twice. Also, I'd keep calling. I wouldn't stop calling. I'd call them every day. I'd be so annoying. Yeah, I'd be like, 'Now, come on, listen. The guy's not going to play hard for you. He's not going to show up for camp. Like, let's just come on, do a deal. Don't be stupid.'

Zolak: Wouldn't it suck if you're in the mix — you've got the money, and you've agreed on the trade compensation as far as we're going to give you a two or one (draft pick) — and the player tells the agent, 'I don't want to play there. I'm not going there. They're not going to be good.' That'd be a kick in the nuts. 'Get me, with this other team.'

McKone: You're going to have to pay them top dollar.

Zolak: It's going to feel like the Ridley thing all over again.

Bertrand: My thought is, if you pay him top dollar, they'll come. They didn't offer Calvin Ridley top dollar. If they did, he'd probably be a Patriot. Think of all the money this team has wasted on DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster. What are you doing? Go for the gold, my friends. Go for the real players.

Zolak: Going for the next notch. That's the problem, tier two.

Bertrand: That's why it blows my mind when people are like, 'What are you going to do? Pay like $28 million a year to Calvin Ridley?' Well, it beats paying 28 million a year to DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster when you start adding up that money. Yeah, I think it's better. It's not 28 I'm exaggerating. This position costs money in this league. Now, this position is not some fantasy football position in the league. This is a real part of offense and a real part of game planning, and it's what teams are using to win in this league. And we have this debate for a long time about the importance of the passing yards, and can you get them without these guys? And listen, the league has pretty clearly told you what it values, and the league values these players now for good reason. That's why they're getting paid the way they're getting paid, and the Patriots need to get with the times. They need to catch up. So here's a chance to do it. I'll be pissed if he goes anywhere else. And I'm not even, I haven't been banging the table for Brandon Aiyuk. I think he's a good player. He'd be their best offensive weapon right away. But if he goes somewhere else, now I'm going to be mad because that means you struck out again on a wide receiver. You've made the call multiple times. You know what it's going to take. Supreme, high-end draft capital and money. You don't pick up the phone without knowing that. So let's go, New England. Keep calling. Call him every day. Annoy the hell out of John Lynch.

Football is just about back in Foxborough. New England Patriots training camp begins on July 24, as the team gets ready for the 2024 season. 

For those following along, the big story of training camp is often the position and roster battles taking place. There are certainly no shortage of battles on the Patriots’ roster this year. 

Position and roster battles can be used interchangeably at times, but they are two different things. Position battles are between players at the same position who are both/all expected to make the team and at the same position, competing for a higher spot on the depth chart. 

Meanwhile, roster battles are between players - either from the same position or different positions - outright battling for a spot on the 53-man roster. This relates to the concept of the roster bubble and ‘at-large’ roster spots, which we usually get into once camp is underway. The battles can last all the way through camp, and now with the new practice squad elevation rules can even continue into September. 

Throughout this week, we’ll be highlighting the closest and most important position and roster battles in Patriots training camp this year. Each battle will have its own breakdown (which will be linked in this post once it's posted), but here’s an overview of the positions we’ll be focusing on. 

Between Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, the top of the Patriots’ running back depth chart is set. But even from a realistically optimistic outlook, it takes more than two players to get through a season at a position as physically demanding and injury-prone as running back.

In past years it’s mainly been Kevin Harris in that third running back role, either from on the active roster or as a practice squad elevation. He’s back to compete again this year, but the team has two similar downhill backs in UDFAs Deshaun Fenwick and Terrell Jennings who could compete4 for the role. The door is also certainly open for veteran JaMycal Hasty, who got plenty of reps this spring after finishing last season on the Patriots’ active roster. Hasty is a faster, quicker back who can also make plays in the passing game and has significant special teams experience.

Full running back breakdown here

Heading into camp, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones all roster locks. Coming off of his impressive performance in spring practices, Alex Austin seems to be a near-lock as well. That's the top of the depth chart, but who will provide the depth?

There’s a crowded group behind those four looking to fill out the one or two depth cornerback spots left on the roster. That group includes some familiar names. Isaiah Bolden was making a roster push last year before suffering a concussion late in the preseason that landed him on IR. Shaun Wade and Marco Wilson are also back to compete for roster spots after spending time with the team last year (as is 2023 practice squad member Azizi Hearn, who stood out in minicamp).

Some rookies will compete here too. Sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial fits the prototype of a Patriots boundary cornerback. UDFA Mikey Victor is another player to watch - he has a unique size/speed makeup, closed the spring strong, and was getting some special teams reps.

Full cornerback breakdown here

Time to go back to the top of the cornerback depth chart. Jonathan Jones is the real pivot player here. Will stay on the boundary opposite Gonzalez, where he’s played the past two seasons? Or will he move back into the slot where he excelled to start his career?

The picture is a little cleaner if Jones moves back to the slot. He’d be there, with Alex Austin the favorite for the second boundary spot. If Jones kicks back outside, Austin becomes the third rotational boundary corner with the slot then becoming the key question between Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden, or other depth players.

Full cornerback breakdown here

Heading into camp there are four projected roster locks at wide receiver - Kendrick Bourne (assuming he’s healthy and cleared to start the season, which Jerod Mayo suggested at the end of minicamp is expected), Pop Douglas, and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Given the $3.1 million guaranteed in K.J. Osborn’s contract, he’s a near-lock as well.

Pending injury, that could be the Patriots' full initial wide receiver room. But there are still some well-known names left, either trying to prove they're worth the team keeping a sixth receiver, or battling for a spot that opens due to injury. That group includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor.

Full wide receiver breakdown here

If you missed it, we actually covered the outlook of the Patriots’ kicker position after minicamp ended last month. Neither Chad Ryland nor Joey Slye made an overwhelming case to earn the job, meaning things remain up in the air as training camp begins.

It will be a sprint to the finish at the kicker position. Can Ryland or Slye show notable improvement in training camp? If not, will the team bring another kicker in? That could be during camp, or even during final roster cuts.

Full kicker breakdown here

Not just tackles or guards. Not just starters or backups. Jobs across the offensive line and up and down the depth chart at these positions are open to be won in camp. That includes starting spots - both who and where - as well as backups. 

David Andrews will be back at center and the team seems committed to starting out with Chuks Okorafor at left tackle, but after that it's tough to pin anything down. Mike Onwenu will start somewhere, but will he be at tackle or guard? Which guard spot will Sidy Sow play? Where does third-round pick Caedan Wallace factor in? Who will be Okorafor's backup? All that and more will have to be sorted out over the next few weeks.

Full offensive line breakdown here

Even for those who think there is no chance for rookie Drake Maye to start Week 1, there's still plenty at stake in training camp this year. Getting a better idea of where he's at relative to Jacoby Brissett will go a long way in establishing the timetable for him taking over - even if Week 1 is off the table. Can he put pressure on the coaches to make the change sooner rather than later?

It’s also worth keeping in mind that the starting quarterback battle isn’t the only one at the position. NFL teams rarely keep four quarterbacks, which means most likely at least one of Bailey Zappe or Joe Milton will end up on the outside looking in.

Full quarterback breakdown here

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.