The post-Bill Belichick New England Patriots remain a team very much in flux, with several big decisions looming. New head coach Jerod Mayo is facing a quarterback decision and changes at several key positions. And they might not be done adding players, too.
Mayo was asked Tuesday about many of the fluid situations, including rumors of a Brandon Aiyuk trade in the works, and took a page from Belichick's coaching manual in addressing it.
"I know what all you guys want to know," Mayo told reporters when asked about the Patriots possibly trading for Aiyuk. "One thing I did learn from Bill is I don't talk about players on other teams. So, let me go ahead and say that now.
"I remember as a player, I appreciate that. I appreciated that the only opinions that mattered were inside the wall, so I'm still trying to apply that now going forward."
Aiyuk remains at loggerheads with the San Francisco 49ers, wanting a new contract. According to NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, the chances are greater that Aiyuk is traded at this point than he is to sign an extension with the 49ers.
The Patriots reportedly have been trying to acquire Aiyuk since before the 2024 NFL Draft. Mayo was asked if the Patriots remain in the sweepstakes.
"I'll be honest with you: That's more of an Eliot question," Mayo said, referring to Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf. "Right now, I'm just focused on the guys out here, the New England Patriots."
Wolf is not scheduled to address the media.
The Patriots currently have question marks at wide receiver. One of them revolves around the status of Kendrick Bourne, who is still working his way back from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 8 last season. He was the Patriots' best receiver prior to the injury and re-signed with the team this offseason for three years and $19.5 million.
Although Bourne hasn't yet come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he's been active in training camp, assisting with the Patriots' young receivers, including 2024 second- and fourth-round rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker and second-year WRs Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.
But Bourne has now heard his name floated as possibly being part of an Aiyuk trade. Mayo was asked if he'd talked to Bourne about the situation.
"Honestly, I did talk to him this morning, and it was a good conversation," Mayo said. "Once again, I feel like the story is so much further along than anything else, I just wanted to clear the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease."
The Patriots also technically have a quarterback decision looming, even if veteran Jacoby Brissett remains the heavy favorite to start ahead of No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye. Mayo said everyone who is healthy will play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers, and that includes all four quarterbacks on the roster -- Brissett, Maye, Bailey Zappe and sixth-round pick Joe Milton III.
Mayo said Brissett was likely to start against Carolina but that the plan could change prior to game time.
