Insider Shares Brandon Aiyuk Note After Patriots End Trade Pursuit

The Brandon Aiyuk market dramatically shifted in a span of 24 hours.

Late Monday night, it was reported that both the Patriots and the Cleveland Browns ironed out frameworks for trades involving Aiyuk, who remains in a contract standoff with the 49ers. But by Tuesday evening, New England reportedly ended its pursuit of the star wide receiver and a new team moved to the front of the race for his services.

NBC Sports' Mike Maiocco, one of the reporters most plugged into the Aiyuk saga, believes the latest development was significant.

"The fact the Steelers are back in talks with the 49ers toward a possible Brandon Aiyuk trade shows all sides have a willingness to get something done," Maicco posted to X. "The negotiations and conversations continue..."

"All" was the key word in Maiocco's note. San Francisco and New England apparently agreed to terms on a potential trade and the Patriots reportedly were willing to pay Aiyuk top dollar, but the pass-catcher himself seemingly had no interest in taking his talents to Foxboro, Mass. Since a team probably wouldn't trade for Aiyuk without a long-term commitment, the latest Steelers reports indicate the 26-year-old is open to the idea of signing a lucrative deal in Pittsburgh.

Those developments were a reminder of a new reality in New England. Neither the Browns nor the Steelers are world-beaters, but they're hovering high enough above mediocrity to draw interest from a premier player.