Dolphins rival fails to strike Brandon Aiyuk trade with 49ers

Barring something dramatic, the Miami Dolphins won’t have to worry about encountering superstar wideout Brandon Aiyuk twice next season as he suits up for an AFC East rival.

The New England Patriots were one of the most notable teams in the trade sweepstakes for Aiyuk , the San Francisco 49ers wideout who had had contract and trade buzz around him all offseason.

But it sounds like while the Patriots were willing to cough up what it takes to get a deal done, Aiyuk…just wasn’t that interested in Foxboro.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently appeared on the “Scoop City” podcast and dropped the following while talking about the saga: "New England was rolling out the cash to get there, and he denied them."

The report also mentions Aiyuk wants to play for a contender with a better quarterback situation than the one in New England.

That has to feel like a small win for the Dolphins. The stacked Tua Tagovailoa-led offense with the likes of Tyreek Hill is at least partially responsible for the arms race elsewhere in the division and conference. That a star player doesn’t view the Patriots as a contender despite a big contract offer says much, too.

Granted, the Dolphins will still line up against Aiyuk next year in Week 16 when they host the 49ers, should he remain there and not end up somewhere like Cleveland or Pittsburgh. But that’s better than seeing him twice as he improves a division rival like the Patriots.