The San Francisco 49ers may make a decision on star receiver, Brandon Aiyuk soon after this upcoming season but a trade is still imminent. According to a report, the team could keep their best wideout on the roster by franchise-tagging him after this upcoming season. Many sources, including Adam Schefter, believe that the 49ers want Aiyuk back but not at the price he wants. It’s hard to imagine that Aiyuk will play this upcoming year because he feels like the team doesn’t want him back after not receiving the contract he wants.
The chatter about a potential trade has been the subject all offseason but it looks like it may force the 49ers’ hand to avoid any animosity in the locker room. He continues adding more intrigue to his contract stalemate after conversing with the Washington Commanders quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Aiyuk implies “They don’t want me back” which could speculate that San Francisco doesn’t want to bring him back on a new deal. The contract talks are continuing to stall and it’s not helping that the team is extending Jauan Jennings and Christian McCaffery.
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal and he’s going to earn $14.124 million against the team’s salary cap. The 49ers shouldn’t wait too long to strike a deal since the longer they take, the more he will request. Many wide receivers across the league like Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown are receiving mega contracts. However, a trade is something that San Francisco doesn’t want but they may have to act fast to decide what they want to do.
The 49ers did make an offer to Aiyuk but it puts him below the highest-paid receivers like Jefferson. Here are some potential trade fits for Aiyuk.
49ers May Make Decision on Star Receiver Brandon Aiyuk Soon, Trade Imminent
Potential Trade Fits
Baltimore Ravens
No one should rule out one more blockbuster trade this offseason but this deal will get everyone talking. The Ravens are still lacking a No. 2 receiver so they may need to make a splash to team up with Zay Flowers. It’s troubling to consider that they haven’t found a replacement for Odell Beckham Jr. since they’re lacking depth. Rashod Bateman has been disappointing as a slot receiver so they need some insurance but getting Aiyuk would probably grant them the Super Bowl.
Lamar Jackson doesn’t want to go out there and have to rely on Flowers or Mark Andrews all the time. So it would be wise for John Harbaugh to jump the gun to make an interesting offer to the 49ers. A deal that San Francisco wouldn’t avoid since they’re still in an impasse in contract talks.
Los Angeles Chargers
Many heads should be scratching their head from what the Chargers are doing with their wide receiving corps. They’re getting about any receiver that’s out there including DJ Chark but no similar characteristics to Mike Williams or Keenan Allen. It doesn’t sound fair for Justin Herbert who’s walking into the season trying to impress new head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, Ladd McConkey may be looking promising at practice but experience is what the Chargers are still lacking and Aiyuk would replicate the same play as Williams and Allen.
Kansas City Chiefs
It may be the 49ers’ worst nightmare if they go with this trade but if the Chiefs are offering a good deal then it would be logical to take it. Aiyuk is like a legitimate alpha who can make crucial catches in close situations on third down. It’s what the Chiefs were lacking on their roster but they have somehow been able to win back-to-back Super Bowls. However, him joining a group with Kadarius Toney, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy would be a shocker for many across the league.
