The New England Patriots reportedly are no longer interested in a trade for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Reports of a potential trade agreement between the Patriots and 49ers started to heat up on Monday night. But on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Patriots will instead "focus on" their young wide receivers.
The 49ers reportedly had a trade deal in place with both the Browns and Patriots, NBC Bay Area reported on Monday night. It was thought that it was then up to Aiyuk to come to terms on an extension with either team, the outlet reported.
The outlet added that there was still a possibility Aiyuk could return to the 49ers should a deal not materialize with the Browns or Patriots.
The 49ers had permitted Aiyuk's agent to negotiate potential deals with the Browns, Patriots, Commanders and Steelers. The Commanders and Steelers are now out of the running after refusing the 49ers' trade demands, the outlet reported.
The return package would have been a "veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks," NBC Sports Bay Area reported.
Aiyuk is seeking a guaranteed deal as he's heading into the last year of his rookie contract, which will pay him just over $14 million this season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent. As a result, earlier this offseason, he demanded a trade.
Teammate Deebo Samuel utilized the same strategy — demanding a trade as his contract was near expiration — before signing a three-year extension worth up to $73.5 million during the 2022 offseason. A potential trade for Samuel never reached these levels, however.
Amari Cooper may be part of the return package for Aiyuk, Cleveland.com reported.
Despite the rumors, no futures odds on any of the teams have changed. The Patriots still rank bottom of the barrel at +18000 odds to win it all, the third-worst odds in the NFL. The Browns remain unmoved at +4000, ranked No. 16 overall.
Meanwhile, the 49ers remain the favorites to win the NFC and have the second-best odds to win it all (+600), behind the Chiefs (+500).
No divisional or playoff odds changed as a result of this news, either. Expect the odds board to reshuffle, however, should a deal take place. The extent to which will depend on the compensation package.
