3 Realistic Brandon Aiyuk Trade Packages the Patriots Can Offer the 49ers

Late Monday night, the drawn out Brandon Aiyuk saga took a major turn. Per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots are the last two teams standing in the bidding to acquire the All-Pro receiver.

"The 49ers have negotiated the framework of trades that would send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns or the New England Patriots, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday night. Now it's up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises, the source said."

- Mike Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area

Aiyuk, who is entering the last season of his rookie deal with the San Francisco 49ers, is seeking a long-term contract extension - either with the 49ers or his new franchise. New England, who have the third-most cap space remaining for 2024 and the league's most cap space available for 2025, are well-positioned financially to meet Aiyuk's demands. Given Cleveland's greater ability to be competitive in the near future, a rebuilding team such as the Patriots might have to overpay to convince Aiyuk to come to New England.

Aiyuk and the Patriots have been linked in trade rumors for months now, as the two were connected even leading up to the draft. Reports indicate that the Niners and Patriots "had a deal in place" before the draft that would have sent New England's 34th overall pick to San Francisco in exchange for the receiver. However, the Patriots (rightfully) balked when Aiyuk refused a contract extension with the team. The most pressing question: has Aiyuk's interest in a contract extension with New England actually increased since then?

Now, it appears that New England is on the goal line of acquiring one of the league's premier wide receivers, but how can the Patriots push their negotiations into the endzone? Here are three trade packages that could convince the 49ers and Aiyuk to send him to New England.