Star Patriots Target Officially Requests Trade Ahead of Camp

All offseason, New England Patriots fans have been begging the front office to use their league-high space space for a blockbuster signing or trade, only for Eliot Wolf and co. to decide to pour that money into a savings account instead of immediate roster improvements.

After a modest offseason in which the cap space was largely allocated towards extensions to current players and less splashier signings, the Patriots have yet to really break open the checkbook for a player that would substantially move the needle on this roster.

Well, a golden opportunity has presented itself for the Patriots to finally use some of that hefty cash laying around. One potential Patriots target, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, has officially requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers.

Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie deal that will pay him $14.12 million in 2024. Aiyuk was the 25th overall pick by the Niners in 2020.

Per Spotrac, the Aiyuk's contract is projected to come in around four years and $96 million (24 average annual value).

The Patriots still possess the most cap space in the league, with $41.39 million at their disposal this season and are slated to have the highest cap space next season with $102.7 million available. No team is better positioned than New England to pay Aiyuk the contract that he is seeking, especially after the wide receiver market was flipped on its head this offseason.

Wide receiver money has completely changed this past offseason. Justin Jefferson inked a four-year, $140 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings last month that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed on a three-year, $96 million extension, while Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $120 deal with the Detroit Lions. Regardless of which writes the check to Aiyuk, he will be getting paid on his next deal.

New England's wide receiver group has been much-maligned, and rightfully so. The 2023 Patriots ranked among the worst passing teams in the league (28th). As a position group, Pats wide receivers posted 1,869 yards and five touchdowns, total. Meanwhile, Aiyuk caught racked up 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.

New England addressed the receiver group by selecting Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker with the 37th and 110th overall picks in April's draft. Former Vikings wideout K.J. Osborn also joined the Patriots on a one-year, $4 million free agency deal.

New England has the cash to extend Aiyuk and have been sitting on that money all offseason, it is time for the new Wolf regime to finally make a blockbuster.

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