Aiyuk Rumors Could Create Unhappy Campers in New England

Reports surfaced Monday night that San Francisco was in the process of trading star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers had supposedly approved the framework for a trade with two teams. The teams mentioned were the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Aiyuk remaining in San Francisco or winding up elsewhere remain options until a final transaction is made. But at least when the rumors initially surfaced it looked like a two-horse race, with the Patriots being one of them.

The idea of bringing in a top-flight wide receiver to Foxboro is exciting to many, but it is likely not unanimous. At least two Patriots players might not be thrilled about the news. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and linebacker Matthew Judon being less than thrilled with these newsflashes should not shock anyone.

Bourne Reportedly Part of Trade Package

Kendrick Bourne led the New England Patriots in receiving last season when he was injured in Week 8. Bourne tore his ACL, keeping him sidelined for the rest of the season. Bourne was on pace for 79 receptions, 863 yards, and nine touchdowns when he went down. These numbers would have been career-highs across the board for Bourne. They were especially impressive considering the general lack of production from the New England offense.

Bourne was set to his free agency this past offseason. However, the New England Patriots signed him before he hit the open market. The two sides agreed to a three-year, $19.5 million deal with a $4.2 million signing bonus. The wideout worked out with the younger Patriots wide receivers in the spring, posting videos of training with DeMario Douglas and Tyquan Thornton on social media.

Eliot Wolf stated he hoped to bring “The Packer Way” to New England. This features drafting, developing, and extending core players. Wolf signing Bourne before he even hit free agency indicated the executive considered Bourne one of the Patriots’ core players. Bourne talked about wanting to be a team leader, stating that being a team captain was one of his goals

Thus, it must have come as a surprise to Kendrick Bourne to hear he was the player going to San Francisco as part of the package to acquire Brandon Aiyuk.

A Fan of Environment in New England

Kendrick Bourne began his NFL career in San Francisco. He signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent and played there for four seasons (2017-to-2020). He joined the Patriots in free agency and has been in New England for three years since.

Before agreeing to come back to the Patriots this offseason, Bourne talked with Tom E. Curran about why he felt like the Patriots were a good fit for him.

“It’s an environment that works for me, that helps me become a better person, better player,” said Bourne. “So I would love to keep that going. I felt like I was becoming the best player that I’ve ever been in my career (before the injury).”

Bourne even took to Instagram to try and help recruit Brandon Aiyuk to New England earlier this offseason when it was first reported the 49ers star might be unhapppy with his contract and looking for a new NFL home. The two are former teammates from Bourne’s time in San Francisco. Now it appears if the San Francisco star does head to New England, Kendrick Bourne might have departed to. help make it happen.

Bourne’s offseason involved his ACL rehab, signing a multi-year contract, feeling like a core player on the Patriots, hoping to become a team captain in New England, and now potentially being shipped out of town. The report must not be sitting well with Kendrick Bourne at the moment. Whether this presents a problem if the trade to New England falls through remains to be seen.

Already an Unhappy Camper

While everything has been going smoothly in training camp for Kendrick Bourne, aside from his involvement as his rehab continues, Matthew Judon has been less thrilled about how the New England Patriots 2024 training camp has gone for him so far. Judon has been quite open about being unhappy with his contract. He enters the final year of his contract with New England and is scheduled to make $6.5 million in 2024. This is nothing to sneeze at, but far below what a player of his stature feels he is worth, even while coming back from a season-ending injury of his own.

Last week Judon left practice on Monday. This followed sideline discussions with several members of the Patriots staff, including head coach Jerod Mayo and executive Matt Groh. Judon was absent on Tuesday. After a day off for the team on Wednesday, Judon returned on Thursday. He continued expressing displeasure about his contract upon his return. He stated repeatedly that he wants to remain in New England, but it’s not up to him. Judon suggested reporters ask Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh about it instead of asking him.

How will bringing in Brandon Aiyuk and giving him something in the neighborhood of $30 million per year sit with Matthew Judon? He watched Wolf and the Patriots sign 11 members of the 2023 roster to deals that last through at least 2025 this offseason. Seeing his teammates land big deals to stay in New England had to sting at least a bit. Seeing a player come in from the outside and land a massive contract that makes him the highest-paid Patriots player immediately? Feels like that could easily lead to a holdout or formal trade demand from Judon.

What’s Next?

If the Patriots don’t end up landing Brandon Aiyuk, their staff will need to do some damage control with Kendrick Bourne. Some fans might believe that these things are “just part of the business,” but these are human beings with actual feelings being discussed. Bourne being upset that a team he just agreed to stick with, without even testing the open market before he is even cleared for full practices could be upsetting. It’s understandable if it is. This is why teams try hard to prevent such information from leaking to the outside world.

If New England is successful in trading for Aiyuk, it becomes a moot point to some degree. But it is also something that younger players in the locker room certainly see and are aware of. It may also stick in their minds when their time to sign their next contract arrives.

Matthew Judon’s situation is a little less complicated. If he gets the contract extension he covets, he’ll be happy. If he doesn’t, he will remain an unhappy camper. The real question is whether a new player showing up with a monster contract or just knowing the New England Patriots were willing to do that without taking care of him, could send him over the edge. Will there be an unhappy Bourne in training camp while Judon holds out? Having two of the most upbeat members of the team disgruntled is not great news for New England. And if they fail to land Brandon Aiyuk, it was potentially all for naught.