The New York Jets have been linked with one star wide receiver this offseason. However, it appears he is more likely to join one of the Jets’ AFC East rivals.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo and Tom Pelissero, Brandon Aiyuk is more likely to be traded than work out an extension with the San Francisco 49ers. They reported that multiple teams are in play for a trade.
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: The latest on Brandon Aiyuk, who is still a member of the #49ers as of right now. pic.twitter.com/qdVyoZOYuU
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2024
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On Monday night, NBC’s Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers have the “framework” of a Brandon Aiyuk trade with the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. Maiocco reports that “it’s up to Aiyuk to decide if he will accept either team’s contract terms.”
BREAKING: The 49ers have the framework of a Brandon Aiyuk trade with both the Browns and the Patriots, a source told @MaioccoNBCS.
Now it's up to Aiyuk to decide if he will accept either team's contract terms https://t.co/8DIfq9rQMV
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 6, 2024
The Jets had previously been rumored as a team that could pursue Aiyuk. New York’s depth at wide receiver is somewhat thin and largely hinges on the availability and performance of Mike Williams. If 2024 is truly the Jets’ year, trying to acquire a player of Aiyuk’s caliber makes sense. However, it seems the Jets are not involved in the discussions.
While it would be somewhat frustrating for the Jets to see Aiyuk join the AFC East, it would be better for New York’s division hopes to see him on the Patriots than the Bills. Lacking a true No. 1 threat, Buffalo had also been rumored as a potential landing spot for Aiyuk. Pairing Aiyuk with Josh Allen would make the Bills a much greater threat to the Jets in the AFC East.
Instead, it appears Aiyuk has a chance of joining the AFC East’s consensus bottom-feeders. It would be a major acquisition for New England, a team that has plenty of talent defensively but is widely considered to have the worst offensive roster in the NFL. Still, with no proven quarterback and a porous offensive line, it’s hard to imagine Aiyuk will single-handedly turn the Patriots into an AFC East contender.
Nonetheless, the Jets’ two games against the Patriots would become less of a cakewalk if they had to worry about Aiyuk. New York will have its first matchup against New England in Week 3 when the Patriots visit MetLife Stadium for Thursday Night Football.
