This Team Reportedly Competing With Patriots For Brandon Aiyuk

The New England Patriots put themselves in position to make a major splash just days before their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Matt Maiocco reported that the Patriots have a trade framework in place with the San Francisco 49ers to acquire impact receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

That’s a big development, though they’re not alone.

Maiocco added that the Cleveland Browns also have a trade framework in place for Aiyuk. Ultimately, it’s up to the player to decide which team to accept a deal to with a likely extension on the other side of it.

Per Maiocco’s report, the Browns would trade wideout Amari Cooper and draft picks in a deal while a trade with the Patriots would center around Kendrick Bourne and draft picks.

Money for an extension will likely be the deciding factor for Aiyuk. The Patriots currently have the third-most cap space ($39.5 million) while the Browns hold the eighth-most cap space ($28.3 million), per Spotrac.

One of the two teams will be in position for a massive addition to their receiving core before the 2024 season begins. The Browns would get an impact receiver to push the needle in a competitive division while the Patriots would get rookie quarterback Drake Maye a true impact receiver to boost his development.