Should Patriots Renew Brandon Aiyuk Pursuit Amid 49ers Release Rumors?

The Patriots whiffed on their attempt to trade for Brandon Aiyuk over a year ago, but could they get another chance?

New England aggressively pursued Aiyuk during August of 2024 amid the star receiver’s contract drama with the 49ers. They even reportedly had a deal in place with San Francisco — including a massive contract extension — but Aiyuk rejected the Patriots and the also-interested Cleveland Browns. Aiyuk, who was open to joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, eventually rescinded his trade request and re-signed with the 49ers. Just two months later, the 2020 first-round pick suffered a major knee injury and hasn’t played since.

But that was then, and this is now. And, well, now it sounds like Aiyuk’s 49ers career basically is over.

Last Friday, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic published a bombshell story about Aiyuk and the 49ers heading for a “stunning divorce.” Most notably, the two insiders reported that a release, rather than a trade, is “expected,” meaning the Patriots and other potential suitors seemingly could land Aiyuk on a major discount.

“It’s now likely that (Aiyuk) has played his last game with the franchise, according to numerous sources briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation,” Russini and Silver wrote. “Some in the organization are holding out hope that the relationship can be salvaged enough for him to return this season. However, multiple sources believe that a reconciliation is unlikely.”

That’s great and all, but would Mike Vrabel and company even want the 27-year-old?

Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf obviously did. But New England’s top personnel decision-makers now are Vrabel and Ryan Cowden, and it’s fair to wonder whether either would want Aiyuk, given the details of the story and that he hasn’t played a snap since October of 2024.

“Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication,” Russini and Silver wrote.

“The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations. Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season’s end.”

With Vrabel leading the charge, the Patriots are trying to build a culture of accountability, hard work and togetherness. And Aiyuk doesn’t sound like a great fit.

“It was expected that Aiyuk could return for the latter part of this season, but he has remained on the PUP list,” Russini and Silver wrote. “His presence at the team’s training facility has become scarce; sources say Aiyuk typically works out early in the morning and departs before other 49ers players arrive. Numerous members of the organization — including some 49ers players — have reached out to Aiyuk in recent weeks in an unsuccessful attempt to bring him back into the fold, one source said.”

Aiyuk’s deal already contained zero guarantees for 2027 and 2028, so a contract and/or trade drama likely would’ve happened this offseason regardless. But with him now guaranteed zero money for 2026 as well, the 49ers could cut bait while incurring just $1.3 million in salary cap losses, per Over The Cap.

“In voiding Aiyuk’s future guarantees, the 49ers can recover a significant portion of the contract,” Russini and Silver wrote. “His 2026 option bonus would have paid out $24.935 million. He stood to earn a $1.215 million base salary for the 2026 season, as well as a $100,000 workout bonus and roster bonuses of $750,000 per game.”

Not all diva receivers are created equally. Stefon Diggs has a spotty track record, but his issues have centered around wanting the ball more and not keeping things private. His work ethic and competitiveness never have been questioned.

Aiyuk, on the other hand, sure seems like a player who worked hard and did what the 49ers wanted until he wanted to get paid. And, once he got his big contract, he became a problem in the locker room.

Nevertheless, Aiyuk was a legitimate No. 1 receiver in 2022 and 2023, when he amassed 153 catches for 2,357 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those players don’t grow on trees, and the Patriots still don’t have one, despite Diggs turning back the clock a few times this season.

If the Patriots can sign Aiyuk to a short-term prove-it contract, like the one Diggs got last spring, they should do it. Such a deal likely wouldn’t preclude them from targeting other top wideouts throughout the offseason, and they could just move on from Aiyuk if he shows up and pulls the same nonsense that he has in San Francisco.

The upside would be immense, and the risks would be minimal. The Patriots weren’t in a position to roll such dice the last two years, but these are the kinds of deals they should consider now that they’re Super Bowl contenders and Drake Maye is a bona fide franchise quarterback.