FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo wouldn’t confirm reports that the Patriots have negotiated trade parameters with the 49ers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during his news conference Tuesday morning.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco first reported Monday night that the 49ers have negotiated trade parameters with the Patriots and Browns regarding Aiyuk and that the team has allowed their star wide receiver to negotiate a new contract with those teams.
“I know what all of you guys want to know. One thing I did learn from Bill (Belichick) … I don’t talk about players on other teams,” Mayo said before taking any questions. “So, just let me go ahead and say that now.”
Mayo was asked if he could confirm that talks are ongoing with the 49ers.
“Look, I’ll be honest with you, that’s more of an Eliot (Wolf) question,” Mayo said, deferring to the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel. “Right now, I’m just focused on the guys out here, the New England Patriots.”
He was also asked point-blank if the Patriots have negotiated a trade with the 49ers and if they’ve been allowed to speak to Aiyuk.
“I can’t. Like I said earlier, I’m just focused on the guys in the room,” Mayo said.
Maiocco reported that the Patriots are expected to include wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in a potential deal for Aiyuk. Mayo would say that he had a conversation with Bourne, who played for the 49ers before coming to the Patriots as a free agent in 2021.
“Honestly, I did talk to him this morning, and it was a good conversation,” Mayo said. “And once again, I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else. I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease.”
Aiyuk is sitting in, meaning he’s in the 49ers’ facility but not practicing, as he seeks a new deal. He’s currently set to earn $14.124 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract.
Aiyuk was named a second-team All-Pro in 2023 after catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards with seven touchdowns. There’s a belief within the Patriots’ organization that Aiyuk could line up at X wide receiver and consistently win 1-on-1 matchups against cornerbacks. They don’t currently have that prototypical player on their roster.
Mayo did acknowledge that the Patriots are always looking to improve their team when asked about the team’s current receiver group.
“Those guys are working hard. They’re getting better every day,” Mayo said. “Now, from Eliot and my perspective, we’re always trying to get better, no matter what position we’re talking about, no matter how those guys get here whether it’s cuts or through trades or whatever, we’re always looking to improve our team.”
The Patriots’ current wide receiver depth chart consists of rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, DeMario Douglas, K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, JuJu Smith Schuster, Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker, JaQuae Jackson and David Wallis. Bourne remains on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL last season.