Trade speculation about Brandon Aiyuk has died down a bit, but one Patriots insider feels a deal with the 49ers could still happen.
At the very moment the San Francisco 49ers traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a mere fifth-round draft pick, speculation skyrocketed about a similar move involving Samuel's teammate, fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
After all, a glaring report from a Bay Area insider highlighted how both Samuel and Aiyuk's respective contract extension talks frustrated the Niners' front office, sentiments that are apparently still felt despite both deals ultimately going through.
Samuel's trade opened the door to San Francisco's roster teardown, which continued into the opening phases of the league new year. And Aiyuk's own trade rumors boiled when NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the 2020 first-round draftee could be made available via trade despite the recent extension and the fact Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL and MCL suffered last year.
The injuries do complicate matters, as does the fact the 49ers would eat a ton of dead money by trading Aiyuk away. However, the willingness to do so with Samuel suggests an Aiyuk trade was at least possible.
But it never materialized at the start of free agency, and rumors of such a deal have since died down.
Until being rekindled once more.
Greg Bedard says Brandon Aiyuk trade is 'best option given the firesale in San Francisco'
The New England Patriots were among those teams seeking Aiyuk a year ago at this time when the receiver was going through his tense extension talks, and the Niners reportedly had preliminary trade agreements in place with the Pats, among other teams.
Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal hasn't put that interest to bed, though. If anything, the New England sports analyst feels the Patriots could rekindle Aiyuk trade talks to address their own offensive shortages:
"Just like last offseason, I still believe in my bones the Patriots will find that receiver via trade, among the likes of AJ Brown and Brandon Aiyuk. The latter is the best option given the firesale in San Francisco, but he won't be ready until at least midseason after major knee surgery.
Of course, Tee Higgins is now off the market as the Bengals shockingly paid both receivers.
Maybe I'm naive when it comes to the Patriots and the offense. Maybe I'm a sucker. But I'm not going to bury them yet."
It's important to note Bedard doesn't cite any insider's information here, claiming a source that tells him the Pats are in active discussions with San Francisco to acquire Aiyuk.
It's an "in my bones" kind of feeling.
Still, the fact there hasn't been a concrete dismissal from the 49ers regarding any would-be Aiyuk trade reveals the door is still very much open. Given the Niners' recent cost-cutting moves, paired with the reported regret surrounding last year's extension, the possibility of such a trade is very much in play.
And Bedard just gave it a little more momentum.
Hat tip to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn for the find.