The optimism surrounding the situation is that, at least by 2024, not only can rookie quarterback Patriotsmake an immediate impact and prove himself deserving of a starting position, but also that the team can somehow find a good young top wide receiver to pair with him in the offense. The optimism is also present because the Patriots still have lots of money to spend and there are upset top players in Cincinnati and Drake Maye San Francisco's Brandon Aiyuk. Tee Higgins It would be amazing to see Maye throwing deep passes to a sprinting Aiyuk, who is considered one of the best five or six receivers in the NFL. Right? Right? However, according to NFL insider Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated
, it's not likely to happen—or at least it's unlikely. Several reasons contribute to this, but the main message is, don't expect a Pro Bowl player to be added to the Pats' receiver group.
When speaking on NBC Sports Boston, Breer disappointed the Foxboro fans when asked about acquiring players like Aiyuk or Higgins: “I would say it is unlikely now.” Is Trading for a Wide Receiver Too Costly?Alright, the explanation provided by Breer does offer some hope that as the offseason progresses, the Patriots could still acquire a top-notch receiver. That's because they have money to spend, money that teams like San Francisco and Cincinnati do not want to spend at the moment.
After huge contracts were given to receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown, other star receivers will want significant payments. The Patriots might have to give up draft picks and a large amount of money.
Sigh.
Higgins or Aiyuk might demand record-setting payments from the Patriots to make a trade worthwhile, now that the market has been established.
“It has become more challenging with the contracts signed by Amon-Ra St. Brown at $28 million per year and A.J. Brown at $32 million per year. It's not just about draft-pick compensation now, but also about a massive contract,” Breer said.
With “If you want to trade for one of these guys and they have the leverage in contract negotiations, if they say, ‘I’ll only go there if I get $32 million, $33 million, $34 million per year,’ if you want to allocate the majority of the $50 million that having a quarterback on a rookie contract would give you, that would be the question.” Patriots Could Still have a Chance at a Deal
Interestingly, Breer also indicated that one of the sensible Patriots targets—Aiyuk—probably won’t be available for trade now that the NFL draft is over. The goal in San Francisco seems to be to keep the group together for a
Super Bowl run in 2024
and then trade Deebo Samuel, not Aiyuk, after the season.
“I just think it is more likely that those guys sticking on their teams. I would actually say right now, talking to people out there,
Deebo Samuel is much more available than Brandon Aiyuk right now.” Breer said.That makes sense on paper, but it does not consider the human side of things. Samuel is not happy about being involved in trade rumors during the draft, and Aiyuk is not satisfied with his contract situation. Higgins with the Bengals is also not pleased. Maybe this could be enough to damage the chemistry of those teams.
Maybe after that, the Patriots would have the opportunity to make a trade for a star player. The Patriots really need a top wide receiver, but insider Albert Breer doesn't think the team is likely to make a trade for one. is much more available than Brandon Aiyuk right now.” Breer said.
That makes sense on paper, but it does not take into account the human side of things. Samuel is not happy about being put through the trade-rumor wringer during the draft, and Aiyuk is not happy about his contract situation. Neither is Higgins with the Bengals. Perhaps that’s enough to sour the chemistry of those teams.
And perhaps then, the Patriots would be in a position to make a star trade.
