Wide Receiver Becomes Available After Ugly Exit, Potential Patriots’ Trade Target

Brandon Aiyuk is a name that some NFL fans may have forgotten. The 2020 first-round draft pick posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the San Francisco 49ers to round out his rookie contract.

He was then given a four-year, $120 million contract that should have kept him in San Francisco until 2028.

However, things turned contentious after a nasty knee injury in 2024.

Conflicting reports then emerged from the team and the player. One thing was certain: although the organization kept the reasoning close to their chest, the 49ers revoked all 2025 guarantees from Aiyuk’s contract for missing (at least) one rehab assignment.

Without the guarantees, Aiyuk refused to play at all and missed the entirety of the 2025 season.

If there was any question on whether or not the two parties could work it out in the future, 49ers general manager John Lynch answered it with a definitive statement on Wednesday.

“The plan, in terms of the transaction, that will come in due time,” Lynch said. “I think it’s safe to say he’s played his last snap with the Niners.

“It’s an unfortunate situation that just went awry. I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes, it just doesn’t work out.”

The Patriots already attempted an aggressive pass at Aiyuk during former head coach Jerod Mayo’s tenure.

Given the way things have deteriorated this season, the 49ers have little to no leverage in the impending trade.

The Patriots would be bidding against the rest of the NFL, but with the most cap space in the league and a need at the position, the Patriots would be lucky to get the 27-year-old in Foxboro, assuming they hear and believe his side of the story.

Head coach Mike Vrabel has not shied away from big personalities in his past.