If the San Fransisco 49ers make All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk available via trade, the New York Jets need to put an offer in ASAP.
A player of Brandon Aiyuk’s caliber doesn’t become available very often, especially given the fact he’s only 26, and the 49ers have a young quarterback on his rookie contract.
There are conflicting reports. John Frascella has stated that Aiyuk has requested a trade from the 49ers.
BREAKING:
Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade from the 49ers, per confirmation from my San Francisco source.
Benjamin Allbright & 49ersSportsTalk have also done some preliminary reporting on this story.
As of Sunday morning, April 14, the Steelers have been the… pic.twitter.com/plCkQo87lj
— John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) April 14, 2024
This was refuted by Aiyuk’s agent, though.
You need better sources. https://t.co/iB7Y6CDcGt
— Ryan Williams (@RyanWilliamsA1) April 14, 2024
The initial report sparked some debate as to whether or not the Jets should even consider trading for Aiyuk. If the 49ers make him available, he should be a Jets target, and they should not consider a talented potential draft pick over him.
If Available, the Jets Must Trade for Brandon Aiyuk
Veteran > Rookie
Brandon Aiyuk was a Second-Team All-Pro wide receiver in 2023. That means he was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL last season. He’s also only 26 years old. While he’s going to command a lot of money, age, and money shouldn’t be a restriction in this case. The Jets are in a win-now season, and we shouldn’t expect Aiyuk to make a huge downturn in performance and production. In addition, a rookie should not ever be expected to play at an All-Pro level right out of the gate.
11 Personnel/Mike Williams
The Jets may have acquired Mike Williams, but he’s coming off of an ACL injury. So, adding him would be both a move for right now and a potential injury. Additionally, Williams is in the final year of his contract.
Furthermore, the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers, will run the offense out of 11 personnel. So, while trading for Aiyuk may seem like a depth move, it’s not. Aiyuk would be one of the primarily-used receivers in 11 personnel.
The Rodgers-led Jets Offense
There are three things Aaron Rodgers loves: RPOs that are essentially screen passes, outside-the-numbers throws, and go balls. Aiyuk’s hands, ability to separate, and breakaway speed make him perfect to work with Rodgers. Aiyuk gives Rodgers a receiver he can trust on the short stuff, even if he doesn’t break away for a long gain, the medium routes, and of course, the deep shots downfield Rodgers loves.
The New Contract
Aiyuk would need a contract extension. Here’s how that one could break down:
2024: Reduce base salary to $1.125 million with a signing bonus of $28.875 million ($30 million in cash in 2024, cap hit of $6.9 million)
2025: Base salary of $1.17 million, option bonus of $28.83 million ($30 million in cash, cap hit of $12.711 million)
2026-27: base salary of $23.5 million ($12.5 million guaranteed on the fifth day of the waiver period, $11 million guaranteed of the fifth day of the league year), Roster bonus $2.5 million (due on the fifth day of the league year), $4 million in incentives (cap hits: $37.541 million)
This contract would give Aiyuk a contract with an average annual value of $30 million (max value). It would also help the Jets with the cap for the next two seasons. They also may draft a developmental quarterback this season, and it wouldn’t hurt the future negotiations there.
In the end, there’s no downside to this acquisition, if he’s available. The Jets should make the move.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
