Patriots Could Receive Mulligan After Failed Blockbuster Attempt

The Patriots have done it once before, so why not try again?

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport dropped quite the bombshell on Saturday, revealing that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could be on the move this offseason as the club looks to get younger and free up money.

49ers general manager John Lynch was asked about a potential move on Wednesday, and admitted to being open for business.

“Yeah, that typically happens with really good players,” Lynch said in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, per 49ers Webzone. “I remember, I think two years ago, having similar conversations. You get calls, and you always listen to calls.”

New England immediately comes to mind as a destination.

The Patriots, as we previously mentioned, already successfully built a trade package for the veteran wide receiver last season, though he turned the offer down citing the organization’s lack of proven talent at quarterback. Drake Maye, of course, changes all of that, so now might be the time to actually bring aboard the star pass-catcher.

“Keagan, that’s a ridiculous idea, he tore his knee to bits just a few months ago!”

Yes, that is true, but how quickly we forget what kind of timeline this team is on. New England has been starved for wide receiver talent for as long as most kindergartners have been alive, and with the most cap space of any team in the league could easily afford the remaining money on his deal. Aiyuk is going to be just 27 at the start of next season, so even if it takes a while to return to form, both sides have time.

Do I want to write six stories per day as we look for a conclusion to another saga? No, not necessarily, but this might be the organization’s best chance at procuring a premier receiving threat for Maye.

It’s now or never, so a decision will need to be made soon.