Brandon Aiyuk Rumors: Patriots Had 'Strongest' Contract Offer to WR Before 49ers Deal

The New England Patriots didn't spare a penny in pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk.

The San Francisco 49ers had the "framework of a trade" done with the Patriots, but Aiyuk rejected New England's contract offer, which stopped any momentum.

During an appearance on NBC Sports Boston's Sports Sunday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the Patriots' contract offers to the wideout were the "strongest monetary offers in just about every way."

Aiyuk would end up signing a four-year, $120 million extension to stay with the 49ers. The Patriots were rumored to be offering a deal with more than $32 million per year.

Aiyuk wanted to get paid this offseason, and his production made him quite the candidate to get a deal he desired.

He made 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns for San Francisco in 2023, earning second-team All-Pro honors. This helped the team go 12-5 and advance to Super Bowl LVIII.

Aiyuk will get the chance to replicate this performance as one of the key cogs of San Francisco's loaded roster. He would have entered a much different situation in New England.

The Patriots went 4-13 in 2023 and missed the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons. Their leading receiver, DeMario Douglas, had just 561 yards, and the quarterback tandem of Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe combined for more interceptions than touchdowns.

Jones, Zappe and longtime head coach Bill Belichick are no longer with the franchise, but the outlook does not look much better this year. Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, will start the season on the bench while veteran Jacoby Brissett handles starting quarterback duties.

With an unproven roster and a poor track record in recent seasons, the situation in New England was uncertain enough for Aiyuk to turn down dollars in exchange for stability and success on the field.