49ers, Aiyuk, and where he will play in 2024 (not NE)
- Thread starter soxhop411
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Yeah, I don't think they're playing a PR game here saying $30 million APY but only $5 million in guarantees or whatever. I think their pursuit and contract offer were legit. Aiyuk hesitated or indicated the Patriots weren't his desired landing spot, so they moved on. Seems fair for all parties. Worth a shot for the Pats. Didn't work out.
I think it's particularly tough for a counting stats, skill player like Ayuik to come to a situation like the Patriots. I'm a bit more disappointed we couldn't find some way of overpaying to shore up the OL, which looks even worse now than it did a few months ago.
The part that’s both predictable and kind of exhausting is the “NOBODY WANTS TO COME TO LOSERVILLE” whining.
If you wanted Mac and Bill gone and for the Pats to reset by drafting a young QB, WRs—as most of the board seemed to—then this is what you signed up for.
Is New England now the Cleveland Browns? Maybe (tho it felt more like that last year when DeAndre Hopkins spurned our offer and there was very little reason to be hopeful). Or maybe it’s just a down year or two while they look to rebuild the team.
But the fact that so many posters seem, if not surprised then certainly dismayed by the fact that New England isn’t some top destination for free agent talent and that we didn’t reload 100% of our needs in a single offseason suggests the need for a bit of a reality check.
If you wanted Mac and Bill gone and for the Pats to reset by drafting a young QB, WRs—as most of the board seemed to—then this is what you signed up for.
Is New England now the Cleveland Browns? Maybe (tho it felt more like that last year when DeAndre Hopkins spurned our offer and there was very little reason to be hopeful). Or maybe it’s just a down year or two while they look to rebuild the team.
But the fact that so many posters seem, if not surprised then certainly dismayed by the fact that New England isn’t some top destination for free agent talent and that we didn’t reload 100% of our needs in a single offseason suggests the need for a bit of a reality check.
You think? Lazar has said multiple times that the OL has been better in camp this year and they can see the semblance of a plan.
Did someone shoot your dog last night, or something similar? Your obtuse negativity is adding nothing here.
I’m not sure trading for him (and signing him) would have been a win. But it would have crossed off a need which would have made figuring out what to do with next year’s high draft pick a little easier. As for what it would have given them this year, I don’t care that much, and indeed would expect that a team with higher near-term aspirations would outbid them (in terms of trade assets).
Completely agreed, feels like one of those "simplest explanation is often true."
Also this is gold.
View: https://twitter.com/Michael_Fabiano/status/1821020324638470336
Also, there is some weird sliding doors stuff w Aiyuk. If Bill doesn’t overrule his scouts to draft Harry out of Arizona State on his buddy’s recommendation in 2019, do the Pats trade out of the 23rd pick in 2020 and pick ASU’s Aiyuk a year later instead (he went 25)?
I feel like next draft we get our franchise LT. There are some good ones coming out so getting Aiyuk now would have been a good move but obviously not meant to be. I like that the Pats are being aggressive here trying to add skill position talent. It remains a huge need for the team.
These are the people who became Patriots fans after the 2001 season, they are so easy to spot on this board it is sometimes comical to me. Many times it is not their fault because they grew up with nothing but Brady and Belichick. Heck Western Mass didnt even bother showing Patriots games until Parcels took them over in the mid 90's.
Brady was the draw along with a hall of fame coach and winning structure. Those days are long gone and i think it is clear many fans of today just can't wrap their head around it.
Drafting is the only way out of the hole the Patriots are in right now.
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That Sydney Sweeney tweet was awesome. I'm kind of glad it didn't work out. She's not my type really (I prefer brunettes).
Anyway glad it brought this board back to life. I just thought bringing one expensive star to an otherwise mediocre defense and struggling offense isn't the answer.
I do pose the question that if BB were still here, would it incentivize someone like Brandon to come play for the GOAT? Maybe even 1%?
Anyway glad it brought this board back to life. I just thought bringing one expensive star to an otherwise mediocre defense and struggling offense isn't the answer.
I do pose the question that if BB were still here, would it incentivize someone like Brandon to come play for the GOAT? Maybe even 1%?
I don’t really get this. If you hit on a young QB, you can turn around pretty quickly. If Maye is good, they could easily be a 10-win team next year. If he sucks, it’s another 3-4 years. That’s how it goes.
He’s a very good player. I like when my teams have very good players. We have posters here psychoanalyzing everyone’s posts, which isn’t helpful or constructive, but c’est la vie. On to the next target.
I'm not worried. These days contracts are an arms race. If, for example, Hill gets a 40m/year extension there will be 5 top 10 WRs looking for new contracts independent of where they are in their own. Not every player can have the approach of a Brady or Mahomes. Hell, in their cases they have incentives to not caring about always being the highest paid player. Good team = more sponsorships.
I agree. It’s basically a lottery ticket that you got the right guy. If you don’t, you start over again in 3/4 years. That happens a lot. I hope Maye is the guy and turns into a top 10 QB, but that’s all it is. Hope. I hoped Mac was the guy and he wasn’t. All I’m saying is in this league, there’s a much better chance of not hitting on the QB, even one drafted high.
Giving up a potential top 40 pick to pay Aiyuk as an elite WR seems like bad roster construction to me as well even though I do think he's a great player. We're a good draft or two away from realistically competing in the playoffs given long term needs at OT/TE/DL plus any contract they give him would likely eat up a sizeable chunk of whats left of the 2024 cap that can be rolled into next year.
Nothing is surprising here. Aiyuk plays for a Super Bowl contender now and wasn’t willing to go to a rebuild.
I would have been stoked of they got him but $30 mm per year, never mind the assets going to SF, is a lot to dedicate to one player, given injury risk and the possibility that he would not be as much of a difference maker in a new system. Again, I would press the “yes” button quickly if given the chance, but I’m not overly broken up at the miss. Also, having the chance to evaluate who they have in a season in which even making the playoffs seems highly unlikely isn’t a bad outcome, either.
I would have been stoked of they got him but $30 mm per year, never mind the assets going to SF, is a lot to dedicate to one player, given injury risk and the possibility that he would not be as much of a difference maker in a new system. Again, I would press the “yes” button quickly if given the chance, but I’m not overly broken up at the miss. Also, having the chance to evaluate who they have in a season in which even making the playoffs seems highly unlikely isn’t a bad outcome, either.
Oh, I just meant that it wouldn't be to the Pats. Did I step in something here? Just trying to give you some cred...
Nah, you're fine. Just wanted to preemptively stop some pedant from going back and disproving you post
I could have gone either way with Aiyuk. Did I want him on the team? Yes. Am I devastated that he is not coming here? Not really. The rebuild is still early enough that there are multiple paths that the Pats could take and those are all still open.
This. Of course I'd love to have him in a Pats uniform. He's really good.
But he would have cost the Pats draft picks, a current player, and then a crap ton of money, which would mean he's basically "worth" being like the best receiver in the NFL, which he most definitely is not. As always, acquisition cost factors into the equation as to just how much I want a guy on my team.
I think there is a tangible benefit to bringing up a young QB with an established top end WR. We saw how AJ Brown helped Hurts, Diggs helped Allen, etc. We don’t “need” this guy this year but he’ll be needed soon to help Maye’s development, assuming someone in house doesn’t surge to be one. Who knows, maybe Jerry can screw up the CeeDee Lamb situation (not likely…).
Benjamin Allbright
@AllbrightNFL
1h
Well, there was a report out that a deal was "done" with the Steelers, and that was/is completely false.
Aiyuk has been trying to maneuver his way to WAS/Pitt by leveraging that he won't sign an extension with other teams (Cle/NE) trying to trade for him.
He wants $30m+ per & SF isn't just giving him away.
There is currently no trade in place with the Steelers, who have been calling back as early as March about this.
They might get one done, but there is no trade in place at this moment.
@AllbrightNFL
1h
Well, there was a report out that a deal was "done" with the Steelers, and that was/is completely false.
Aiyuk has been trying to maneuver his way to WAS/Pitt by leveraging that he won't sign an extension with other teams (Cle/NE) trying to trade for him.
He wants $30m+ per & SF isn't just giving him away.
There is currently no trade in place with the Steelers, who have been calling back as early as March about this.
They might get one done, but there is no trade in place at this moment.
Hard for a team to be able to thread the needle of:
Willing to give the 49ers what they demand
Willing to give Aiyuk the $$ he demands
Legitimately compete for a playoff run.
Pittsburgh likely will pay him and has potential but likely won't send a first rounder for example.
Willing to give the 49ers what they demand
Willing to give Aiyuk the $$ he demands
Legitimately compete for a playoff run.
Pittsburgh likely will pay him and has potential but likely won't send a first rounder for example.
If it’s like that I’m OK with the Pats walking away. They have limited time and resources and should be concentrating on items which will return results. Spinning one’s wheel over a single player doesn’t seem the best way to be an impactful head office.
Of course, there are exceptions to that as with everything else. He’s a great player, but not a generational one that you should push all your chips to the middle of the table for.
Of course, there are exceptions to that as with everything else. He’s a great player, but not a generational one that you should push all your chips to the middle of the table for.
He’s buddies with Jayden Daniels. They played together at ASU.
Pittsburgh draw is Tomlin’s reputation and they are usually a playoff team, albeit not a true contender.
Pittsburgh draw is Tomlin’s reputation and they are usually a playoff team, albeit not a true contender.
And enough people seem to think that Russell Wilson is still a good NFL QB. I personally think they're delusional, but sometimes guys like Wilson are able to put together one more decent season. To be fair, Fields may end up benefiting from a change in scenery and could be the starter there before the season is finished.
So if WAS hadn't stunk so much at the end and we ended up with Daniels, Aiyuk would be a Pat right now, it seems.
Yeah, this is stupid
Sometimes you have to be lucky. Aiyuk is a strange case. San Fran is his best chance to win and he doesn’t want to be there. New England offered the most money and he doesn’t want to be here.
Steelers are going to be a top 10 team this season imo. They went out and drafted 2 offensive lineman they will probably be sending to pro bowls for the next 10 years. Fixed their quarterback issue signing and trading for proven vets. that already have proven they can play at a high level, unlike the guy they drafted who was a disaster.
They were nearly in an identical situation as the Patriots heading into last off season. They imo wisely decided to target and fix their offensive line in the draft, which was ranked near the bottom, close to the Patriots. They are now ranked near the top ten with adding two legit draft picks and not fliers in the 4th or 5th rounds. They have 2 qb's who can play at an NFL level, the running game and receivers are always sound in Pittsburg and their defense is one of the younger and better ones in the league. Imo they will be the most improved team in the league this season.
The phrase "proven vets" at QB is doing a lot of heavy lifting. I think the Steelers will be better, but I would be surprised if they are in the top 10.
You’re giving their QBs a lot of credit for two guys with massive question marks. Fields can run at an NFL level but he hasn’t shown he can consistently pass at an NFL level.
Also don’t know how they were in a similar spot to the Pats. Yes both teams needed QB and OL. Pats also needed a lot of other stuff and had a chance to take an elite QB prospect.
And while Fautanu and Frazier are nice prospects, it’s laughable to think they’ve solved their OL issues with 2 guys they will “send to the pro bowl for 10 years”
I actually think one thing creating the big drama with this is: Aiyuk actually wants to stay in SF. He just wants more money, because of the WR market, than SF is going to pay with the upcoming cap ramifications. If he didn't want to be in SF, he'd already be in NE or CLE. Yes, he's hoping maybe he can thread a needle to Pitt and maybe that will make everything ok, but what he really wants is for the Niners to pay him 30M. He loves Shanahan. He loves Purdy. Seriously, he strongly defends Purdy constantly to everyone, even at times when he didn't need to. He likes the organization and he's even ok with his role. But, he wants the WR market money.
So, I think he's still having a crisis personally of what to do. You saw it with his reaction in that "they don't want me" video from earlier this summer. I bet he doesn't even really want to go to Pittsburgh, he wants the Niners to blink. And there's precedent. They definitely blinked with Bosa, and paid him everything he wanted.
But, edge rusher might be the second most important position in the NFL these days and WR isn't, and it's really not in Shanahan's system. So, he's stuck not knowing what to do. Otherwise, we'd have resolution already.
So, I think he's still having a crisis personally of what to do. You saw it with his reaction in that "they don't want me" video from earlier this summer. I bet he doesn't even really want to go to Pittsburgh, he wants the Niners to blink. And there's precedent. They definitely blinked with Bosa, and paid him everything he wanted.
But, edge rusher might be the second most important position in the NFL these days and WR isn't, and it's really not in Shanahan's system. So, he's stuck not knowing what to do. Otherwise, we'd have resolution already.
I haven't been following the camp stuff all that closely, just seems like there have been some injuries and a few things here and there about folks not working out or getting moved around. But, certainly hope that things are better.
The corpse of RW and Justin Fields who didn't even work out as a prospect can play at an "NFL level" I guess, but it is a bottom 5-6 QB level. Arthur Smith is an OC who typically attacks the middle of the field and Fields and RW don't really throw the ball there. Your take on their OL is way too over the top. Probably is too strong. I don't think you understand how difficult it is to get to the pro bowl unless everyone drops out. Do you count injury alternates? I don't. Are you a Steelers fan, by chance? The might end up being a top 14 team and make the playoffs. They might even have a decent enough offense to win a playoff game and therefore be a top 10 team. Vegas SB odds put them around 19th 20th best team. Their win total is O/U 8.5. I love Tomlin and think they have a good defense but your take is going against the grain and doing so confidently. I think you're a little too bullish on them overall and especially on their OL situation and guys going to pro bowls for the next 10 years.
I don't want to turn this into a Steelers argument but color me dubious. You're doing a lot of projecting. You've assigned pro bowls to two drafted OL who have yet to play in the NFL, and proven vets is an interesting take on their QB room. I mean, if we're making assumptions that the Steelers filled a need and are making a leap top 10 status by drafting OL, then the Patriots are all set at WR with Polk and Baker.
Also the receivers always being solid...are they? Pickens is a very good receiver, no doubt. There's a reason they are trying to get Aiyuk, the rest of the depth chart is bleak. Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin...do we consider those guys solid? And the Steelers ranked 19th last year in rushing yards per play, hardly solid.
As for the QB's, Wilson is by all accounts cooked and Fields flashed at the end of last season but was a disaster for the previous 2.5. Maybe there is something there, who knows. But I'd hardly say the position is settled or set. To be frank, I'd take Brissett and Maye all day over Wilson/Fields even if the latter is better in 2024.
Fair enough. Not saying we're suddenly top 10, but it seems we're climbing towards "respectable". Here's a recent take from Lazar:
I feel very strongly that in two years this is going to be one of those “man, we dodged a bullet, huh?” type of situations.
He’s the 3rd or 4th option in SF. He is clearly skilled, but $30m - and clearly a massive sense of entitlement - for a guy that hasn’t proven week after week he can beat a #1 CB? It seems like a huge gamble.
This isn’t Megatron we’re talking about. He’s much closer to Calvin Ridley, and even then - Ridley drew tougher coverage last year.
We are not a good team. Draft a WR high next year and bask in his rookie contract.
He’s the 3rd or 4th option in SF. He is clearly skilled, but $30m - and clearly a massive sense of entitlement - for a guy that hasn’t proven week after week he can beat a #1 CB? It seems like a huge gamble.
This isn’t Megatron we’re talking about. He’s much closer to Calvin Ridley, and even then - Ridley drew tougher coverage last year.
We are not a good team. Draft a WR high next year and bask in his rookie contract.
Also, the Niners blinked on Bosa because Bosa is a top 2-3 edge rusher in the league. Bosa was just coming off having lead the league in sacks and deservedly won DPOY. Aiyuk is really good but he's not thaaaat good. He's not Justin Jefferson or Tyreek Hill.
According to Mike Reiss on Felger and Mazz, the Patriots offer to Brandon Aiyuk was 4 years, $128 million($32 million AAV). That would have tied him with AJ Brown for the 2nd highest AAV for a WR in the league and just train Justin Jefferson's $35 million/year. You can't blame Eliot Wolf for anything here. They did exactly what you should do if you want somebody of that caliber.
I don’t think anyone is blaming Wolf. I like the aggressiveness. It’s regrettable that they’re going to swing and miss on big targets until the train gets back on the track but that’s where we are. In the meantime, all eyes on Polk/Baker.
He’s led them in yards, targets, and receptions three years in a row. He is not the 3rd or 4th option.
I wasn't directing that at anyone, just a generalization that Wolf is doing everything he can.
Got it and totally agree. Even if they aren’t landing their targets, I find it refreshing and encouraging that he’s being aggressive. He’s making people tell him “no”, which is all he can do.
I wonder if there’s any chance that the Pats would jump back in if Aiyuk changes his mind in light of lower offers from Cleveland or Pittsburgh. Not that I expect that or am pining away for it.
I have to say…it Aiyuk takes less bucks to play for a team he likes better or thinks can win faster, props to him. The cliche that players alway go to the highest bidder wouldn’t fit. It sucks that the Pats are not the desired landing spot at this time, but as a famous Pats HC often said, it is what it is.
I have to say…it Aiyuk takes less bucks to play for a team he likes better or thinks can win faster, props to him. The cliche that players alway go to the highest bidder wouldn’t fit. It sucks that the Pats are not the desired landing spot at this time, but as a famous Pats HC often said, it is what it is.