FOXBOROUGH - Here’s three words that haven’t been floated around during the dog days of Patriots training camp in recent years: Excitement, suspense, curiosity. A hot trade rumor will do that for the masses. It gets the juices flowing.
The thought of the Patriots potentially landing 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk had everyone on high alert starting with Jerod Mayo. “I know what all of you guys want to know,” Mayo said in his opening remarks to the media, immediately throwing out a tease to reports the Patriots were in the running for Aiyuk. Mayo then clammed up.
If there was anything he learned from former coach Bill Belichick, it was to avoid talking about players on other teams. And yet, Mayo dropped a few clues. He let it be known he spoke to Kendrick Bourne, who reports suggest would be part of the package the Patriots would send to the 49ers in exchange for Aiyuk.
“I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else,” Mayo said, acknowledging that it exists. “I just wanted to make sure we cleared the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease.
” For the media attending practice, every action caused a reaction. It was impossible not to see everything through the lens of the Aiyuk rumors. When de facto GM Eliot Wolf was seen on the phone in a remote area on the field, everyone’s blood pressure rose.
Could that have been the clincher? Had Aiyuk chosen the Patriots over the Browns and Steelers, who are also rumored to be in the hunt? Next, Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon, who is frustrated over not getting a new contract, disappeared from the field for a time. Was he also part of the deal? Aren’t the 49ers also in the market for a top pass rusher? When Judon returned, there was a palpable sigh. Then when Wolf chatted with Patriots owner Robert Kraft toward the end of practice, it reached a crescendo.
Had the eagle landed? All of this provided a huge jolt of interest while Mayo put the players through a padded practice on a rainy, soggy afternoon. While Drake Maye’s progression has been the top storyline, and primary point of interest along with how rookie receivers Ja’lynn Polk and Javon Baker look, and how dominant the defense remains, the possibility of winning the Aiyuk bidding war is so compelling. Let’s just say this: there will be a huge level of disappointment if the Patriots lose out.
“From Eliot and my perspective, we’re always trying to get better, no matter what position we’re talking about, no matter how those guys get here, whether it’s through cuts or through trades or whatever,” Mayo said. “We’re always looking to improve our team and win now.” That said, it’s hard to be teased with the Patriots finally getting the type of receiver they desperately need, only to see it not materialize.
It’s hard to have hope momentarily revived for a more exciting season, then have it taken away. That’s both the beauty, and the harm of a deliciously hot trade rumor. Read more about the Patriots.
