Over the last few months, the New England Patriots have been involved in trade talks for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, even going as far as to agree to a trade framework with San Francisco earlier this week.
However, after the Pittsburgh Steelers got back involved in the negotiations, the Patriots decided to withdraw from the discussions to focus on the development of their young wide receivers. Many questioned if New England was seriously interested in the 26-year-old's services and was offering him a reasonable contract, or if they were refusing to commit financially again.
Apparently, it was the former, as NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco reported on Tuesday that the Patriots' offer "topped $30 million." ESPN's Mike Reiss, on an appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Felger and Mazz" radio show, stated that he heard the offer was between $30-32 million annually.
According to Over the Cap, a $30 million deal would put him tied with Tyreek Hill for the fourth-most annually, and a $32 million deal would put him tied for second with A.J. Brown. Justin Jefferson's extension that he signed this offseason made him the highest-paid wideout in the league at $35 million per year.
Obviously, the big question for the Patriots will be what the guaranteed money looked like in the offer. Jefferson's deal included $88.74 million guaranteed, Hill's included $54 million and Brown's included $51 million. If New England wasn't reaching those numbers and another team was willing to go there, it won't be surprising to hear that he's landed with another team.
New England's executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf better have hit on Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker in the draft and K.J. Osborn in free agency or fans won't be happy with him.
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