Brandon Aiyuk watch for New England Patriots fans appears to be over.
The Patriots seemed on the precipice of trading for the talented wide receiver Monday night when they reportedly agreed to the framework of a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
But 24 hours later, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Patriots are backing out on trying to acquire Aiyuk.
"Sources: After inquiring about Brandon Aiyuk’s availability, the Patriots have decided not to explore any further trade possibilities with the 49ers regarding their standout wide receiver," Schefter wrote on the X platform. "Patriots are excited about their young receivers and want to focus on them."
While the Patriots may have come to trade parameters with the 49ers, it seems like they couldn't convince Aiyuk that New England would be a good fit for him, no matter how much the franchise was willing to pay him.
ESPN's Mike Reiss reported earlier on Tuesday that the Patriots were willing to pay Aiyuk as a top-five wide receiver in the league, which would have put his yearly salary around $30 million. Aiyuk is in search of a massive new contract -- he is set to get paid $14.1 million this season -- and has even forced his way out of San Francisco to get one.
Aiyuk, 26, is now the second big-time wideout the Patriots have lost out on in the last several months. New England also couldn't land Calvin Ridley in free agency as he decided to sign with the Tennessee Titans.
The Patriots will now look to develop their wide receiver group, which includes promising rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, while it seems the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are now the frontrunners to obtain Aiyuk.
