Patriots made ‘strongest’ offer to Brandon Aiyuk

Patriots

“I was told clearly that if it was a question of money, in almost every respect, New England had won.”

Brandon Aiyuk is ultimately staying with the San Francisco 49ers, the star wideout ending his months-long contract dispute and trade drama with the Niners by signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the team last week.

But it wasn’t for lack of trying on the Patriots’ part when they attempted to sign the star receiver last month.

The Patriots were considered a finalist for a potential blockbuster deal involving Aiyuk when the Niners were reportedly determined to move him.

But just a day after it was reported that the Patriots and Browns had agreed to the “framework” of a trade with the 49ers for Aiyuk, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Aug. 6 that “the Patriots have decided not to explore further trade options with the 49ers” regarding Aiyuk.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area later added that Aiyuk “hasn’t shown any interest” in joining the Patriots, scuppering any hopes of New England adding a top receiver to its roster.

But as for the rest of New England’s efforts to try to add Aiyuk, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted on NBC Sports Boston’s “Sports Sunday” program that the Patriots did their best with a solid trade package and a sizable contract offer.

“If a deal had been made, it would have been for a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick and Kendrick Bourne,” Breer said of the offer, adding: “I’m told that of the teams that were in that bind, (the Patriots) had the strongest monetary offers in almost every way. “They offered him a three-year deal at $90 million. They offered him a four-year deal that averaged $32.4 million a year.

“So they offered him a shorter contract, which players generally prefer, for a little less money, but it was still $30 million, which is what he got on a four-year deal in San Francisco.”

While Breer didn’t provide specifics on how much guaranteed money was on the table with the Patriots’ offer, he did point out that New England offered the best deal among Aiyuk’s various suitors.

“Typically, the first three years of these contracts are guaranteed or virtually guaranteed,” Breer added. “I was told emphatically that if it was a question of money, in almost every respect, New England won.”

With the Patriots likely looking at a multi-year rebuild, it’s not necessarily surprising that Aiyuk ultimately decided to re-sign with a Niners team that played in Super Bowl LVIII just seven months ago — especially since San Francisco ultimately handed him $120 million as part of his revamped deal.