49ers’ 2nd-year center needs to make big improvements this season…

Things are starting to get ugly for the San Francisco 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk. While the 49ers are adamant that they don’t want to trade their star receiver, Aiyuk has been getting more frustrated by the day that he hasn’t received a long-term deal. The 49ers selected Ricky Pearsall in Round 1, and it seems as if it’s only a matter of time before they move on from Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel.

If contract negotiations continue to stall and it becomes apparent the 49ers will trade Aiyuk, where is the best possible landing spot for him? And which teams might be willing to meet the 49ers’ high demands? Here are five teams worth watching in the Aiyuk sweepstakes!

No team has more cap space ($44 million) than the New England Patriots. So, giving Aiyuk the deal that he wants wouldn’t be an issue. The Patriots could make Aiyuk the second-highest-paid receiver in the league behind only Justin Jefferson, and it wouldn’t be a big deal.

The Patriots also have a major need at receiver as they’ve lacked a No. 1 target for years. The hope is that Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Tyquan Thornton can step up in 2024, but none of those players project as No. 1 options.

Aiyuk would immediately be the top target in the offense, giving Drake Maye a fantastic weapon in the passing game. The Patriots might not want to surrender their 2025 first-round pick, but multiple Day 2 picks and/or players make sense.

At some point, the Patriots will need to be aggressive in putting adequate weapons around Maye. Why not do it now with one of the best route runners in the league and a player that fits New England’s offense well?