LEARNED FROM THE BEST
Jerod Mayo taking advice from Bill Belichick over Brandon Aiyuk trade as Patriots fight close rival team for 49ers star
Aiyuk is expected to receive a massive contract next season
NEW England Patriots head coach Jered Mayo has learned a thing or two from his predecessor Bill Belichick when it comes to speaking to the media.
The Patriots rookie coach was asked about San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, who's a reported trade target for New England.
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The 49ers have recently been open to trading the disgruntled 2023 second-team All-Pro Aiyuk, per reports
And the Cleveland Browns and Patriots have reportedly negotiated a framework with the 49ers for a potential deal.
That means Aiyuk needs to accept the contract extension from either the Browns or Patriots for a trade to be completed.
But that final step has been a holdup for his San Francisco negotiations.
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Mayo was asked about the Aiyuk-Patriots trade rumors, and he acknowledged that he wouldn't give reporters what they wanted.
"I know what all of you want to know but one thing I learned from Bill [Belichick] is that I don’t talk about players on other teams.”
The six-time Super Bowl champion Belichick, who coached the Pats from 2001-2023, was known for not revealing much to reporters - especially about other team's players.
It's expected that the 49ers would receive a wide receiver and draft picks in a trade involving Aiyuk.
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The Patriots would include Kendrick Bourne in a package, according to NBC.
As for the Browns, they would likely include star Amari Cooper as part of a deal going to the 49ers, per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
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ESPN reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in Aiyuk but do not appear to be a trade fit for him.
The Patriots have been reportedly trying to acquire Aiyuk for a few months.
Mayo did acknowledge that he's spoken with Bourne, who could be included in a potential trade.
"It was a good conversation. Once again, I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else," Mayo said on Tuesday before the Patriots' practice, via ESPN.
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"I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air.
"I do believe in being transparent with the players and really setting those guys at ease."
Aiyk will be paid $14.1 million this year on his fifth-year option.
He will be expected to receive a contract that will put him among the top-paid players in the wide receiver position.
For reference, Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson signed a four-year contract worth $140 million with $110 million guaranteed, the most ever for a wideout.
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Aiyuk is coming off his best season in the NFL, catching 75 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
He reported for the 49ers' training camp but has yet to practice as he seeks a new deal.