FOXBORO, Mass. – If the New England Patriots still were the Patriots, Brandon Aiyuk might already be in New England. But the six-time Super Bowl champions are rebuilding, and no longer are the draw they once were.
The current state of the franchise, including the uncertainty at quarterback, reportedly is responsible for Aiyuk rejecting the Patriots’ recent attempts toward trading for and extending the star receiver. New England head coach Jerod Mayo offered his take on the report before Monday’s training camp practice.
Jerod Mayo Offers His Take on Brandon Aiyuk Spurning Patriots
Here’s the full exchange between a reporter and Mayo:
Reporter: “Last week, there was a lot of reporting about Brandon Aiyuk. … There is this sort of notion that maybe certain players don’t want to come here or New England is no longer a destination.
“As a former player and head coach, one, how difficult is that? And two, does that also speak to what you guys have to build here when it comes to the on-field product and just make things maybe more appealing?”
Mayo: “Yeah, look, we’re always trying to get better. I think Aiyuk is still in San [Francisco] right now, and he didn’t go to some other teams as well. What I will say is, when we start to win games, guys will want to come here. When we start to establish the culture, establish the roster, I think guys will be excited to come back.”
Aiyuk, 26, requested a trade from the 49ers earlier in the offseason after his demand for a new contract wasn’t rewarded. The star wideout hasn’t participated in any practices since the start of training camp.
Early last week, San Francisco reportedly agreed to “frameworks” of Aiyuk trades with the Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Aiyuk was also granted permission to speak to those franchises (and others) about possible contract extensions.
Because Aiyuk doesn’t have to sign an extension with anyone, he effectively holds an unofficial no-trade clause. And he reportedly exercised that de facto right to prevent being traded to Cleveland or New England.
Multiple reports indicate Aiyuk prefers to be moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who’ve engaged in talks with the 49ers. However, more recent reporting suggests Aiyuk re-signing with San Francisco is the most likely outcome. Mayo referenced Aiyuk’s still-unclear future and priority list in his remarks.
Aiyuk is set to enter free agency next spring. He’s coming off a career season in which he posted 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
PFN Analysis: Mayo Was Right, But Should He Have Said It?
Mayo simply said what everyone already knew: The Patriots no longer are contenders and, until that changes, must work even harder to lure star players.
That’s all true. Furthermore, frigid Northeast winters — and high taxes — are less attractive to players when Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and a likely Super Bowl appearance aren’t waiting for them. Without a top-of-the-market contract, the negatives might outweigh the positives.
Exhibit A: Calvin Ridley.
Still, it was jarring to hear Mayo make that admission, if for no other reason than Belichick would’ve scoff-snorted at such a question. Belichick faced similar questions in recent years, and on the rare instances when he actually answered, he typically referenced the Patriots’ historic success in the 2000s and 2010s while ignoring their post-Brady struggles.
Mayo could’ve punted the question. He could’ve expressed confidence in the roster, the culture he’s building, and the Patriots’ chances of exceeding expectations in 2024. Instead, he acknowledged there are doubts about all three.
That’s a brand of honesty we aren’t used to from a Patriots head coach. It’s not good or bad — just different.