The New England Patriots still need a top wide receiver amid missing on big names in free agency, but it might behoove the Patriots to avoid one big name in the trade rumor mill.
NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry and 98.5 The Sports Hub's Marc Bertrand cautioned San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk as a trade option. A 2023 All-Pro, Aiyuk entered the trade conversation after wide receiver Demarcus Robinson signed with the 49ers this week. New England previously explored an Aiyuk trade in 2024.
"I don't feel they're all that excited about a Brandon Aiyuk deal," Bertrand said about the Patriots. "He's a guy who clearly didn't a year ago, so you've gotta ask that question."
"If he wouldn't even call us back a year ago and say hello, or at least have the respect to say, 'appreciate you guys wanting me, (but) I don't think it's a fit for me, I'm all set,'" Bertrand continued. "He couldn't even bring himself to do that. I don't know how eager I would be if I were the Patriots to be calling them back and getting him out of there."
Perry noted Aiyuk's new contract, which he received last off-season, could make a difference this time around. Aiyuk has a four-year, $120 million deal with the 49ers, and he has been a strong performer throughout his young career, though last year was cut short by injury.
"Last year was a trade (proposal) too, but he needed a new contract," Perry said about Aiyuk. "He has the contract now, so he doesn't really have as much of a choice in the matter as he did a year ago."
Aiyuk's ACL and MCL tears in 2024 gave pause for both Bertrand and Perry, however. The Rocklin, California native only played in seven games amid 25 catches for 374 yards before the injury derailed his season.
"I don't know if I would be willing to do it," Perry acknowledged.
A former Arizona State standout, Aiyuk has made 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career.
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM.