The excitement around the Patriots’ 2025 free agency was halted nearly as quickly as it began. Despite having the most cap space to utilize to bolster their roster for the upcoming season, it was apparent the new regime was reluctant to spend on offensive help, as they only added a veteran right tackle and a receiver who is likely to play more special teams than be a weapon for Drake Maye.

The defensive additions were widely considered applaudable and much needed since the defense has declined over the past few seasons. With another defensive-minded head coach in charge, it was unsurprising that the Patriots made a big swing at some of the top available talent to hit the free-agent market.

However, the noticeable lack of help for their franchise quarterback has been concerning, even more so after losing out on getting a blockbuster trade done for big names who were made available. It now looks like they’ll have to get their next receiver through the draft, which isn’t a bad idea.

But a new prediction from Sports Illustrated suggests the Patriots might not be completely out on making the impossible happen in Foxboro this offseason.

New proposed draft-day trade has the Patriots acquiring WR Brandon Aiyuk in the best way possible

Although most tradeable receivers have already been moved to new teams over the past few weeks, there is still one player to keep an eye on for the Patriots: 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk.

They tried to strike a deal last season to bring him to New England when he was looking for a contract extension, but the uncertainty at quarterback and weariness of a first-time head coach deterred Aiyuk from wanting to make a move. That eventually led to San Francisco reaching a deal for a new contract with him, therefore taking him off the trade block.

Fast forward to now, there has been plenty of rumors to suggest that the 49ers weren’t thrilled with the contract they had to pay Aiyuk and now that they appear to be in a rebuild mode, they might be more willing to move him before the 2025 season. That’s where this trade comes into play, with the Patriots possibly pulling off the trade of the century to acquire the talent their offense desperately needs.

“The 49ers also should call the Patriots and offer them Aiyuk, the 11th pick and the 43rd pick for the 4th pick, which they could use to take Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter or Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, while the Patriots would get a No. 1 wide receiver to pair with Drake Maye.”

Essentially, swapping firsts and adding another second-rounder on top of acquiring the WR1 they have been longing for is hard to fathom ever coming to fruition, but given the value of a top-5 pick, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibilities.

This would allow the Patriots to still get a first-round pick, likely using it on one of the best left tackles of the incoming class, and double-dip in the second round to really put their roster over the top. It’s a complete steal, and there’s almost no argument to suggest that it would make sense for the Patriots to pass on making it happen.

It actually seems more unlikely that the 49ers would be interested in negotiating this deal, as they would be taking the worse end of it.

          Even by the (most outdated) Jimmy Johnson trade chart the Patriots are still winning that proposed trade.

Using the Johnson chart they would only be giving up an early 4th for a cost-controlled Aiyuk. Modern charts show NE winning the trade even before Aiyuk is in the deal.

But in the best of all NFL worlds, this could still realistically happen.

It would immediately allow the Patriots to address every one of their weakest parts of the roster in just the first two rounds, which they cannot accomplish with their current stockpile of picks. Addressing the void at wide receiver and the offensive line would also ensure they handle the most concerning holes on the offense, which just became more dire after David Andrews’ departure.

We’ll have to wait and see if the 49ers are serious about potentially moving on from Aiyuk just one year after extending him, and it might not be a question that’s answered until the first round of the draft begins, even more so until the Patriots are on the clock.

Depending on who’s available at No. 4, both teams will likely decide whether to entertain this deal and for good reason. The availability of Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter will likely be key factors in determining if a deal can be reached.

Let’s hope the chips fall just right for the Patriots’ sake so a trade can be achieved.