What Patriots Reportedly Willing To Pay Brandon Aiyuk In Aggressive Pursuit

The New England Patriots reportedly checked off the first box in trying to acquire Brandon Aiyuk by offering a suitable trade package to the San Francisco 49ers for the star wide receiver.

But to ultimately obtain Aiyuk, the Patriots will also have to meet the 26-year-old's contract demands as he's in search of a massive payday.

And according to ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots are more than willing to pay the contract price to land Aiyuk.

"A source told me the Patriots are willing to make Aiyuk one of the top five highest-paid receivers in the NFL in average per year," Reiss said on "SportsCenter" Tuesday evening. "... Remember, they went hard after free agent receiver Calvin Ridley, were willing to spend big for him, but Ridley ended up in Tennessee. Now, they're willing to spend big to try to entice Aiyuk to want to come to New England."

Aiyuk getting top-five receiver money would pay him around $30 million per season and put him in the same group as Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Waddle is the only member of that foursome who doesn't make at least $30 million per year -- he comes in right under at $28.2 million.

Money is obviously a massive motivator for Aiyuk and the reason he wants out of San Francisco, which made the Super Bowl last season. Aiyuk is set to make $14.1 million this season and wants a big pay increase.

The Patriots clearly see Aiyuk as a No. 1 receiver and want to pay him as such. The Arizona State product totaled 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

New England has competition for Aiyuk with the Cleveland Browns reportedly having a trade framework in place with the 49ers as well. The Pittsburgh Steelers are said to have "re-engaged" in trade talks with the 49ers, too. It's unclear if the Browns or Steelers are willing to pony up the type of dough Aiyuk is after, though.

The Patriots already lost out on one star wideout when Ridley joined the Titans -- New England reportedly offered $22 million to Ridley. And the Patriots seem like they are willing to dig deep into their wallet a little bit deeper this time around to make sure they don't strike out again.