Report: 49ers have Aiyuk trade structure in place with Patriots, Browns originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
Brandon Aiyuk commercial sweepstakes it’s getting hot.
NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers Insider Matt Maiocco reported Monday nightciting a league source, that the San Francisco 49ers “negotiated the trade structure that would send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns or New England Patriots.”
According to Maiocco, it is now “up to Aiyuk to determine whether he will accept the terms of the contract for any of these franchises.”
What would the Patriots and Browns likely need to give up to acquire Aiyuk? A veteran wide receiver and draft picks, per Maiocco.
If the 49ers make the trade with the Patriots, Kendrick Bourne is expected to be the starter going to San Francisco, Maiocco reports. Bourne played the first four seasons of his NFL career with the 49ers before leaving to sign with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021, so San Francisco knows him very well.
Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract and looking for a new deal that would make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. The Patriots still have just over $43 million in salary cap space, by OverTheCap, which is the second most of any team. They also have a huge need for something of Aiyuk’s caliber.
Aiyuk recorded a career-high 75 receptions for 1,342 yards, along with seven touchdowns, in 16 games for the 49ers last season.
The Browns are 11-6 in 2023 and made the playoffs as one of three AFC wild card teams. Franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson played just six games due to injury, while star running back Nick Chubb played just two games because of a torn ACL. Cleveland, if healthy, gives Aiyuk a better chance to win than New England.
The Patriots are a rebuilding team that is coming off a 4-13 record. They drafted North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick and also signed veteran QB Jacoby Brissett as a free agent.
Check out the video player above or the YouTube video below for an instant reaction to Maiocco’s report on Boston Sports Tonight.
