For the San Francisco 49ers, the 2024-2025 offseason should be filled with the anticipation of another deep playoff run. On paper, few teams can match the 49ers’ number of high-profile players on both sides of the ball. Yet, as has been the case for the past couple of years, the offseason has been plagued by contract negotiations that have stalled. This offseason, negotiations have surrounded one of the team’s most notable offensive weapons Brandon Aiyuk.
With money talks in full swing, the speculation on Aiyuk’s future has spanned a wide spectrum of theories. Will he resign? Will he be traded? It all boils down to the question: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
Arguing Brandon Aiyuk: Should He Stay or Should He Go
Brandon Aiyuk Should Go
For most fans, a star wide receiver is one of the faces of the franchise. The thought of letting such a big-name player walk may not sit well with a fanbase. There is no doubt that Aiyuk is one of the more popular players on the team for his highlight-reel receptions and fantasy football output. However, paying him could come at the cost of less heralded key pieces. Without even factoring in an extension for Aiyuk, the 49ers are set to be $38 million over the cap in the 2025 season. Players like Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, and Deommodore Lenoir are all poised to enter free agency. Despite San Francisco’s seemingly endless budget, they simply can’t pay everyone.
The 49ers posted a top-three rushing defense and scoring defense only allowing 89.7 yards per game on the ground while also only giving up an average of 17.5 points a contest. With most of the secondary and key pieces of the linebacking core in need of new deals, a big Aiyuk deal could limit that side of the ball.
The Cherry on Top
At a glance, receiving 1,342 yards with seven touchdowns would lead some to believe that Brandon Aiyuk is the alpha in this 49ers offense. Yet, this team is one of the deepest and most complex offenses in the league. San Francisco ranked last in passing attempts and deployed top-tier options at all their offensive skill positions. Kyle Shanahan wants to scheme up an elite rushing attack and last year was proof of this as his team ranked third in total rush yards and fourth in yards per carry. When going down the list of weapons at their disposal, Aiyuk becomes more of a luxury than a necessity.
Christian McCaffery led the league in rushing by almost 300 yards, added 564 yards as a receiver, and scored 21 total touchdowns. He only finished with eight fewer receptions than Aiyuk. In short, he is the most dangerous and versatile weapon in football.
Tight end George Kittle is the heart and soul of the 49ers as both a receiver and an elite blocker.
Kittle’s ability to dominate in the trenches makes the 49ers offense go. Add in the fact he is capable of pulling in 60-plus catches for 1,000-plus yards any given season and you have an extra offensive lineman who happens to be a matchup nightmare.
1: George Kittle (SF).
An easy choice, Kittle combines 1:1 explosiveness with a dominant in-line presence. A key engine of his team’s run and pass games, Kittle is one of the more irreplaceable pieces in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/CoZSVwNvFD
Lastly, the team’s resident “wideback” Deebo Samuel brings such a unique element to the offense that is not replicated anywhere in the league. His ability to function as a top receiving option while also being a threat in various jet sweeps or traditional rushing formations is critical to San Francisco’s identity. It is no surprise that the 49ers three-game skid in October coincided with Samuel being out with an injury.
Efficient but Replaceable?
Brandon Aiyuk is a downfield threat. According to Pro Football Focus, he was ranked as the top route runner when it comes to “post” routes down the field. He was highly efficient, posting the seventh most receiving yards in the league despite only being tied for 24th in receptions and 31st overall in targets. In summary, despite the somewhat limited opportunity, he was able to churn out a highly productive season. With that said it stands to reason a large part of that was opposing defenses worried about the other big-time players suiting up in red and gold.
Replace Him By Committee
The last point could be that the 49ers believe they have sufficient talent waiting in the wings to give them the boost they need at wide receiver. Deebo, Kittle, and McCaffery provide elite playmaking and with other wide receivers waiting in the wings, the team could find a way to get enough production out of other players at a much cheaper price point.
Jauan Jennings was also drafted in the 2020 NFL Draft as a seventh-round pick. While he has not been remotely close to Aiyuk’s production, there is a lot to like about the 6’3 pass catcher out of Tennessee. San Francisco has utilized Jennings in the slot for most of his career but Shanahan has recently spoken about his ability to also line up outside as well while making an appearance on KNBR’s “The Shanahan Show”. Jennings recently signed a two-year extension in May locking him up for the next two seasons with a $15,390,000 deal. In his limited targets, Jennings averaged 12.3 yards per catch over his career and has made big plays throughout the season. Not to mention he has excelled as a blocker which plays into the teams’ offensive strengths and principles.
Jauan Jennings has the fourth-highest PFF wide receiver run-blocking grade (74.5) this season 😤 pic.twitter.com/0AcSIWxBqA
— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) February 8, 2024
San Francisco also spent the 31st overall pick of this year’s draft on another wide receiver prospect, Ricky Pearsall out of Florida. Pearsall is a classic slot receiver who sets up defenders well, is a solid route runner, and has reliable hands. While the rookie’s offseason has been shrouded in mystery due to an injury, if Pearsall is ready to slide in the slot and Jennings is moved outside, San Francisco could hope to rebuild Brandon Aiyuk’s production in the aggregate.
Main Photo: [Kyle Terada] – USA Today Sports
