Did Patriots ‘Dodge Bullet’ By Not Signing Brandon Aiyuk?

The Patriots were given a harsh reality check by Brandon Aiyuk, but it might not have been a happy relationship if things did work out ideally.

New England reportedly offered the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver the lucrative contract he was seeking, but he reportedly had no interest in playing in Foxboro, Mass. Eliot Wolf and the front office also reportedly pulled out of negotiations despite having a framework for a trade that would have included Kendrick Bourne.

The Browns and Steelers remained in the running for the 26-year-old, who reportedly also doesn’t want to play in Cleveland, which narrows down his preferred choice. San Francisco reportedly wants a wide receiver back in a trade deal, but Pittsburgh doesn’t want to deal its assets, which was why the sides were in a standoff heading into Friday.

On the latest episode of “Foxboro Rush,” NESN’s George Balekji, Travis Thomas and Sean McGuire discussed the Aiyuk saga and the fallout from a Patriots perspective. Balekji and McGuire understood the situation from Aiyuk’s perspective, but Thomas had little patience for how the star wideout handled his contract ordeal.

“I’m the only one calling this guy out. I think he’s a (expletive),” Thomas said. “I do. I think he’s a (expletive). At this point, stay in San Fran, and win and then cash out later, bro. You’re throwing mixed signals out here. Do you want to be paid or not because the Patriots were willing to do that, and you backed out like a chump? I’m out on Brandon Aiyuk.”

The trio agreed it was perplexing to learn how much Aiyuk wanted to play for the Steelers, who don’t project to be even a contender in the AFC North let alone a Super Bowl. Thomas went further and believes the Patriots “dodged a bullet” in having to deal with Aiyuk. While Balekji welcomed a top-five wideout into New England, he also agreed since the the fifth-year wide receiver wouldn’t be too happy on a middling Patriots team.

Hear more discussion and debate from “Foxboro Rush” in the video and podcast embeds.