Patriots

Jerod Mayo ‘cleared the air’ with Kendrick Bourne over Brandon Aiyuk rumors

The Patriots are expected to include Bourne in the trade if they agree to a deal for Aiyuk.

Kendrick Bourne. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

By Khari Thompson

Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said he contacted receiver Kendrick Bourne on Tuesday, as reports of a potential trade involving the Patriots and San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk continue to surface.

“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 make sure we cleared the air. I do believe in being transparent with the players and really just setting those guys at ease.”

According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, the Patriots have a trade framework in place with the 49ers that would allow them to acquire Aiyuk if he accepts their offer.

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Maiocco reports that San Francisco is giving Aiyuk the ability to decide where he lands. The Patriots and Browns are reportedly the frontrunners.

Bourne is expected to be a part of the deal if Aiyuk accepts the Patriots offer. Bourne wasn’t spotted at the beginning of practice on Friday, but arrived later on. He remains on the PUP list as he recovers from ACL surgery.

Bourne, who is entering his fourth season with the Patriots, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers in 2017. He spent four seasons with the 49ers before arriving in New England.

He caught 49 passes for 667 yards for San Fransisco in 2020 and has only topped those marks once with the Patriots in 2021. Bourne was seemingly on track for a career-year last year before his ACL tear ended his season.