Brandon Aiyuk signed an extension with the San Francisco 49ers and is staying in the Bay Area.
But it's not because of a lack of trying from the New England Patriots.
Sport Illustrated's Albert Breer on Thursday reported on a widely-speculated topic of the Aiyuk to New England saga: guaranteed money. Breer reported what the Patriots offered Aiyuk in guarantees, a number not previously reported, and it exceeded what Aiyuk received from the Niners.
New England offered Aiyuk in excess of $80 million guaranteed, Breer said while appearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak & Bertrand." Aiyuk received a four-year, $120 million deal with $76 million guaranteed from San Francisco.
"It was between $80 and $90 million (guaranteed)," Breer said on the radio station.
When Breer was pressed on the $10 million difference, he responded: "It exceeded 80 (million), exceeded 80. It was well over 80. It was well over 80. And I would tell you this, too, the first three years were virtually guaranteed."
Breer on Monday reported the Patriots offered Aiyuk two different contract proposals in average annual value (AAV). Those deals averaged $30 million over three years and $32 million over four years. New England's $32 million in AAV also exceeded what he received from San Francisco.
"If this was about the money, the Patriots won in every single way," Breer said on the radio. "This was not about money."
But Aiyuk rebuffed the Patriots, who reportedly had agreed to the framework of a trade with the 49ers.
Only Justin Jefferson ($110 million) and CeeDee Lamb ($100 million) agreed to contracts with more guaranteed money. A.J. Brown ($84 million) and D.J. Moore ($81.25 million) are the only other receivers to receive more in guarantees, per Spotrac.
