Patriots, Browns reportedly both have ‘framework’ of Aiyuk trade set

The Patriots reportedly could be on the brink of acquiring their sought-after No. 1 wide receiver. 

But they might have some competition before Eliot Wolf and his staff can finally cross the finish line and give New England a proven pass-catcher.

According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers have “negotiated the frameworks of trades” that would send talented receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Patriots or the Cleveland Browns. 

“Now, it is up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises,” Maiocco wrote, citing a league source. 

Aiyuk, who is likely on his way out of the Bay Area due to wanting a sizable new contract, is scheduled to make $14.1 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract. 

Per Maiocco, “the 49ers would likely acquire a veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks from the Browns or Patriots”, with New England expected to include former San Francisco wideout Kendrick Bourne, along with some draft capital.

The Browns are reportedly in a position to send wideout Amari Cooper to San Francisco in a hypothetical Aiyuk deal. 

Aiyuk would be a game-changer for the Patriots, who have not featured a 1000-yard receiver on their roster since Julian Edelman in 2019. 

The 2020 first-round pick earned a second-team All-Pro nod last season, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He has led San Francisco in catches and receiving yards each of the last two seasons. 

Acquiring Aiyuk would not only give New England’s ailing offense a much-needed shot in the arm, but it would also pair Drake Maye with an established No. 1 receiver as he tries to establish himself in the NFL ranks. 

Beyond relinquishing Bourne and other assets in a trade, New England would also have to pay a steep price in order to lock in Aiyuk on a new deal. According to Maiocco, the 26-year-old wideout is looking to sign a deal paying “in the neighborhood of $30 million annually.”

New England also needs to outlast the Browns in a potential bidding war for Aiyuk, who needs to weigh which team would be a better fit for him during the prime of his career.