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Brandon Aiyuk Turned Down Shocking Contract to Prevent Pats Trade

Current San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk ended trade talks with the New England Patriots by rejecting a massive contract offer.

By Isaiah De Los Santos

Oct 25, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) makes a catch on a pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (not seen) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) makes a catch on a pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (not seen) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
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The New England Patriots had set their sights on another star wide receiver in recent days, as the team reignited its pursuit of current (and disgruntled) San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk. New England and San Francisco even agreed on the "framework" of a deal, but Tuesday night revealed the Patriots were dropping out of the race.

As it turns out, Aiyuk himself played a large role in making NE pivot elsewhere.

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported Tuesday night the Patriots "were prepared to offer the largest deal of the teams who pursued Aiyuk." Maiocco adds New England would've "topped" $30 million per year, yet the wideout still turned them down.

This is shocking to say the least. Sure, the Patriots aren't anywhere close to the contending conversation right now, but this team has several young core pieces it just extended and a shiny-new quarterback, the latter of which could jumpstart this rebuild a la Jordan Love in Green Bay.

The Pats willing to cross the $30 million per year threshold is massive as well. That would immediately vault Aiyuk into the top four highest-paid wideouts, with Miami's Tyreek Hill at $30 million flat (No. 4) while Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown just became No. 3 after inking a deal this offseason for $30.002 million per season.

And despite all of those factors, Aiyuk still turned New England down, which prompts serious questions about what he's looking for in a new home. The 49ers might not shell out as much, but they're set up to contend for the next several Super Bowls. Meanwhile, the Pats are at the other end of the spectrum with a bunch of cash they're hoping to use and give their rebuilding roster a boost.

Perhaps Aiyuk desires parts of both situations, which is where the Pittsburgh Steelers (where many think the WR actually wants to go) and Cleveland Browns come in.

Meanwhile, the Patriots can now keep an eye out for the next unhappy wideout looking for a change of scenery.

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