The San Francisco 49ers give star receiver Brandon Aiyuk a contract offer but a trade is still possible this summer. According to a report, the standoff continues but sources are saying that the 49ers are giving an offer that it’s in the $26 million range. This offer is below what Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are getting so it’s no surprise that negotiations are far from over. Aiyuk wants more as he continues to hold out from the organization until gets the contract he wants.
However, the biggest question is whether he will attend training camp this summer after skipping mandatory minicamp. Last year, defensive end Nick Bosa was holding out deep into practice until the 49ers offered to keep him on the team. The 49ers are still working towards a negotiation but time is ticking away as the NFL regular season will be here soon. The talks for a new haven’t progressed gradually to the point where it can get intense so this is bad news for the 49ers.
They still have Deebo Samuel to worry about in the future so this may be why they haven’t been able to give Aiyuk the deal he desires. It’s going to be hard for a team to retain Aiyuk and Samuel in the long term after extending Jauan Jennings and Christian McCaffrey. It’s questionable why they were able to extend them rather than focusing on Aiyuk’s contract like they say they were. One can speculate that a blockbuster trade is on the horizon since the two sides are nowhere near an agreement.
The receiver market will continue to rise as wideouts like CeeDee Lamb are still waiting for a deal. However, Aiyuk has been the subject of many trade rumors so there are a few options.
49ers Gives Star Receiver Brandon Aiyuk a Contract Offer, Trade Still Possible?
Potential Trade Fits
Los Angeles Chargers
Bleacher Report says that the Chargers could offer a trade package to the 49ers that they can’t deny. Los Angeles is preparing for an anticipated season this upcoming fall with new head coach Jim Harbaugh leading the team. However, they still need a legit elite receiver to help Justin Herbert’s passing game. After Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departed, the team now has little experience in the receiver position.
They do have two upside young talents in Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnson but one would think that bringing in a veteran would help improve their production. Aiyuk could be the missing bonafide piece that the Chargers are missing for a huge run in the postseason. One way they could lure him away from San Francisco is if they offer the 49ers Joey Bosa in a trade package. This would have both Bosa on the same team which could be a good thing for chemistry.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are still looking for a legitimate WR1 even though they were able to win back-to-back Super Bowls. However, Rashee Rice is going to miss some time due to off-field issues so it’s hard to imagine that Marquise Brown will be leading this core group. Mecole Hardman may be coming back but he isn’t anything special to become a permanent starter on the roster. They need someone to replicate what Hill was able to do with the Chiefs and that could be Aiyuk.
Baltimore Ravens
Aiyuk would probably still be the No. 2 receiver next to Zay Flowers but the new duo could be a scary sight for the team’s secondaries. Rashod Bateman is returning to Baltimore on a contract extension but he isn’t as explosive as what Flowers and Mark Andrews were able to do last season. However, Aiyuk is most likely the final gem for what the Ravens are looking for to give Lamar Jackson his first Super Bowl.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are trying out Hakeem Butler this week which signals that they’re still looking for some depth at the receiver position. However, they’ve been doing their homework on getting weapons for quarterback Bryce Young. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are going to get older so they should probably pursue someone like Aiyuk. He has plenty of years to come so they may as well have him as the established wideout for the next decade for the team.
