Latest Brandon Aiyuk Rumor Serves As Knife Twist For Patriots

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk wants to be traded but has made it abundantly clear he doesn't want to end up with the New England Patriots.

Why?

DeAndre Hopkins didn't want to play for the Patriots, either. Calvin Ridley spurned them this offseason, taking less total money to sign with the Tennessee Titans. What is it about New England that makes wide receivers not want to sign? Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel discussed the topic on The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast Friday and came to a conclusion Patriots fans won't like.

"This is the third receiver, for New England, that they've missed out on in the past two years," Daniel said. "Why don't guys want to go to New England? Was it the (Bill) Belichick thing? Was it the media portrayal? I don't get it. They can't get a star receiver there, and they need help desperately."

Aiyuk's choice came down the QB.

"I do believe that all the situations are different," Russini said. "I can speak to the Aiyuk situation, and that was just the lack of confidence at quarterback. He didn't believe they're set up for success right now.

It's been explained a number of different ways, but the reality is Aiyuk obviously doesn't feel he'd be able to carry over the same level of success he's had in San Francisco to New England. Is that an indictment on Drake Maye? No, probably not, but it is an indictment of the belief Aiyuk has in the Patriots to properly develop him.

New England already has moved on, so the entire Aiyuk saga is now in the past, but that can't be a great feeling for the Patriots or their fans.