Failed Brandon Aiyuk Pursuit Reiterates New Reality For Patriots

The Patriots went all in on trying to add a game-changing talent to the roster, and in striking out, fans understood what it’s truly like to support a rebuilding team.

New England reportedly had a framework with the San Francisco 49ers on a Brandon Aiyuk trade. It had permission to negotiate a contract with the 26-year-old’s agent, and it reportedly was willing to make the star wide receiver one of the highest-paid wideouts in the league.

However, Aiyuk reportedly passed on the Patriots despite seeking a lucrative contract extension this offseason. Perhaps sensing the lack of interest from the fifth-year receiver, Eliot Wolf and his staff reportedly pulled out of the sweepstakes and chose to focus on the team’s young corps.

This week’s chase for Aiyuk was reminiscent of New England’s pursuit of Calvin Ridley earlier in the offseason. The Patriots had enough cap space to pay Ridley the money he wanted, but the receiver chose the Tennessee Titans instead due to much friendlier terms.

Could Wolf and the front office have done more? There might be a case there, but it’s thin at best. The simple reality is the Patriots aren’t an appealing destination anymore.

Fans inherently understood that since this season marked the first time in over 20 years that neither Tom Brady nor Bill Belichick was with the franchise. However, the selection of Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick gave fans hope. The North Carolina product has the potential to become the team’s next franchise quarterback, and there seemed to be good vibes all around with Jerod Mayo succeeding Belichick.

However, the failed pursuits of Ridley and Aiyuk highlight that this rebuild will take time. New England projects to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and there’s little reason to believe one player will change that overnight. The Patriots haven’t been a hot destination since Brady left, and Belichick’s departure worsened the franchise’s perception.

Fans are hopeful Maye can become a franchise quarterback, which is why there’s elevated fear when he doesn’t perform well in training camp. New England this season must show there is a bright future for players to look forward to. The multiple contract extensions hint that internally, the players bought into that message. But there will be added pressure on Maye to succeed similar to how C.J. Stroud’s and Jordan Love’s successes changed the perceptions around the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers, respectively.

That will take time, though. Jacoby Brissett projects to be the Week 1 starter, and it might be best to allocate resources around the offensive line so that when Maye does take over under center, he’ll be in the best position to succeed. And if he does, that will go a long way in restoring the Patriots to their past glory.