Patriots reportedly asked 49ers about possible Brandon Aiyuk trade

The Patriots are expected to pick early on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft, holding the 34th overall pick. But it’s possible they choose to use their high second-round selection to make another type of addition.

New England has contacted the San Francisco 49ers about a trade for Brandon Aiyuk, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported ahead of the first round of the draft.

While Aiyuk has been involved in trade rumors for much of the offseason, the 49ers appeared to add some heat to it on Thursday. They used their first-round pick on Florida player Ricky Pearsall, potentially giving them a replacement for Aiyuk.

If the 49ers are receptive to trade calls on Aiyuk after drafting Pearsall, the Patriots are a potential landing spot because of their high second-round pick, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said during NFL Network’s draft broadcast. Commanders, who hold picks No. 36 and 40, were also mentioned as a possible trade partner for Aiyuk by Rapoport.

Aiyuk is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is seeking an extension.

“I’m trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk told the “Nightcap” podcast in March. “I feel like this season, this season playing football, I discovered who I am as a person and a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. And just the value that I have when I walk into this building.

The 49ers also said they want Aiyuk to stay in San Francisco. General manager John Lynch said the two sides were working on a deal and that Aiyuk was not available for a trade when he spoke to reporters at the NFL league meetings in March.

Despite Lynch’s wishes, social media activity from Aiyuk and those close to him indicated the catcher was OK with playing somewhere other than San Francisco. Shortly after the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs, Aiyuk’s girlfriend and close friend reported that he had played his last game with the team.

Aiyuk has only fueled these rumors recently. He appeared to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram earlier in April, generating even more buzz than he might have in San Francisco.

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne shared his desire for the team to trade for Aiyuk in a recent interview with Khari Thompson of Boston.com, as the two were teammates for one season in San Francisco.

“He’s my guy and I think he’ll fit in perfectly,” Bourne said. “Just being a one-on-one receiver at X. He can take up the whole half of the field, dominate and create a lot of attention for himself. Is it important in our offense, the X receiver?

Aiyuk would certainly improve the Patriots’ wide receiver room and give new quarterback Drake Maye a top weapon. The 26-year-old had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season, his fourth in the league.