There is a decent chance that the San Francisco 49ers will look to pull off a Brandon Aiyuk trade this offseason. Despite his brilliant all-around play, finances are going to dictate San Francisco’s plans.
Aiyuk, 25, is set to enter the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. He’ll count $14.12 million against the cap. San Francisco general manager John Lynch noted after its Super Bowl loss that re-signing Aiyuk is key. With that said, the 49ers simply just can’t afford to continue handing out massive contracts with the NFL hard-capped.
Meanwhile, recent activity from those close to Aiyuk suggests that he might be on another team next season. It would be similar to when San Francisco dealt away star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts following the 2019 season. He was also headed into his fifth-year option.
If the 49ers do put Aiyuk on the trade block, there is not going to be a shortage of interest in his services. Here, we look at four ideal trade scenarios.
Related: Updated NFL trade rumors
Houston Texans pull off blockbuster Brandon Aiyuk trade
Nico Collins was absolutely brilliant as a third-year player this past season, recording 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s one of the primary reasons that quarterback C.J. Stroud earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
For general manager Nick Caserio and Co., the idea has to be to build up even more talent around Stroud on offense. That’s where Aiyuk comes into play. He has a built-in relationship with head coach DeMeco Ryans and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik dating back to their days with the 49ers. He knows the Texans’ offense like the back of his hand.
Houston currently has north of $65 million in cap room. Its salary cap situation is great moving forward. Handing Aiyuk a lucrative long-term contract wouldn’t be impossible. Meanwhile, the Texans can offer up their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (23rd overall) as well as a future early Day 2 selection to pry Aiyuk from San Francisco.
Related: 2024 NFL salary cap tracker
New York Jets provide Aaron Rodgers with much-needed target
Is Rodgers going to force the Jets’ hand this offseason? We’re not too sure. But he does reportedly have specific asks of the team after a disappointing seven-win campaign in which the future Hall of Famer was injured a few snaps in. He’s not returning from a torn Achilles at the age of 40 to play for a mediocre team.
Meanwhile, Jets owner Woody Johnson made sure recently to put head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas on notice. The status quo is not acceptable. New York must find a way to improve this offseason.
- Brandon Aiyuk stats (2023): 75 receptions, 1,352 yards, 7 TD
Using the 10th pick in this year’s NFL Draft on someone of Aiyuk’s ilk would be the win-now move these Jets need. Imagine him teaming up with a youngster in Garrett Wilson who has recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to open his career. Regardless of the cost, it would be an absolute boon for the Jets.
Related: 10 most intriguing names for the 2024 NFL offseason
Chicago Bears continue to double down at wide receiver
Chicago’s acquisition of Pro Bowler D.J. Moore in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers last spring proved to be a major win. He recorded 96 receptions for 1,364 yards in his first season with the Bears. Moore is a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
So, why would the Bears double down on Aiyuk? It’s pretty darn simple. Chicago will likely select USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’ll start from Day 1. Unlike what we saw from this team when Justin Fields was starting his NFL career, the expectation is that Chicago will put Williams in the best possible situation to succeed. That includes elite-level skill-position talent.
The question here is compensation. San Francisco would likely demand the ninth pick in April’s draft. Is that worth it? We’re not too sure. But this is what negotiations behind the scenes are all about. On the field, Aiyuk would be a perfect fit opposite Moore.
Brandon Aiyuk heads to Washington Commanders in blockbuster trade
We have absolutely no idea who is going to be under center for the Commanders next season. They boast the second pick in the upcoming draft. That could very well be used on North Carolina’s Drake Maye or reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU.
What we do know is that the Commanders are run by former San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters. There is an obvious built-in connection between Peters and 49ers GM John Lynch. These types of relationships do come into play in trade talks.
Regardless of Washington’s quarterback situation, adding another top-flight receiver to go with Terry McLaurin should be in the cards. Perhaps, the team can entice San Francisco with former first-round pick Jahan Dotson as well as one of their second-rounders in the coming draft.