Patriots willing to pay 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk before draft

Brandon Aiyuk reignited speculation surrounding his future once again when he formally requested a trade from the 49ers earlier this week.

Aiyuk was the wide receiver to watch around the NFL Draft after reports surfaced that San Fransisco was willing to trade one of its star receivers. 49ers GM John Lynch quickly shut down those rumors, though, and Aiyuk was not moved.

Regardless, it was reported that New England was interested in making a trade for the receiver, and now there are even more details about the Patriots’ interest levels, per NBC’s Mike Florio.

Florio noted that the Patriots were one of five teams interested in trading for Aiyuk around the NFL Draft. He reports that New England offered San Fransisco a second-round pick (No. 34 overall) for him, but the 49ers rejected. The Patriots were also reportedly prepared to offer Aiyuk “what he wanted,” according to Florio. Aiyuk is seeking a deal at around $28 million per year.

So far, the 49ers haven’t been able to agree on an extension for Aiyuk, and he’s been vocally displeased with that throughout the offseason. He posted a TikTok with new Commanders QB Jayden Daniels implying that the duo wanted to — and thought they had a chance to — team up together in Washington.

Florio’s report also fueled that fire, as he noted the Commanders were also of the five interested teams in Aiyuk.

It’s unclear whether the 49ers will be able to reach an agreement with Aiyuk long-term given the friction between the two sides. However, it’s also unlikely Aiyuk will get traded this season. He adds value to San Fransisco this season, and without getting a star player in return, the 49ers would be hard-pressed to trade away a major asset for a draft pick that won’t impact the team until 2025.

If Aiyuk is moved prior to this season’s trade deadline, though, it would make sense for the Patriots to remain in the conversation to land him.

Ultimately, New England used that second-round pick to select WR Ja’Lynn Polk, so it appears that pick was always set aside to improve the receiver position, regardless of how Eliot Wolf and co. accomplished that.