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NBC Sports reported Monday night that the 49ers
have the framework of trades with multiple teams in place, but
the Steelers were not mentioned.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo declined to comment on the
reports Tuesday after practice.
"I know what all you guys want to know," Mayo said of the Aiyuk
rumors. "One thing I did learn from Bill (Belichick) is I don't
talk about players on other teams. So, let me go ahead and say
that now. I remember as a player, I appreciate that. I
appreciated that the only opinions that mattered were inside the
wall, so I'm still trying to apply that now going forward."
Later Tuesday, ESPN reported that New England was not going to
pursue Aiyuk and was instead going to focus on developing its
young receiving corps.
The No. 25 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk is scheduled to
earn $14.124 million in 2024 on the fifth-year team option
linked to his rookie deal.
Aiyuk had a team-leading 75 receptions and 1,342 yards with
seven touchdowns in 2023.
Lynch said he would "never close the door on a trade" with Aiyuk
in the final season of his contract.
The wide receiver contract market exploded in the offseason.
Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill recently renegotiated his contract
to boost his salary to $30 million per season in each of the
next three years. Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson signed a
four-year, $140 million contract, and the Eagles reworked the
deal of A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million) to lift his annual
salary to $32 million. Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown
also landed a huge contract with a salary of just over $30
million per year.
Aiyuk is attending training camp to avoid being fined, but he is
not practicing with the team. Under terms of the collective
bargaining agreement, players who don't report are subject to
fines of up to $50,000 per day.
--Field Level Media [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
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