The San Francisco 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII thanks to one of the best rosters in football. As the 2024 NFL offseason gets underway, however, it appears San Francisco is in serious danger of losing one of its best players due to salary-cap issues.
Thanks to the rookie contract of starting quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers have been able to devote a majority of their cap space to other positions in recent years. It allowed the team to land and extend All-Pro talents on both sides of the ball, culminating in one of the best offenses and NFL defenses. With Purdy and other integral players nearing the end of their contracts, however, difficult decisions are looming.
- San Francisco 49ers cap space 2024: -12.376 million
Related: Surprise San Francisco 49ers star could be traded this season
As the offseason begins, the two biggest names on San Francisco’s roster facing uncertain futures are wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. While both are critical pieces in Kyle Shanahan’s offense and go-to weapons for Purdy, it appears increasingly likely that one of them will be traded in a matter of months.
Will Brandon Aiyuk be traded?
Previewing the 49ers offseason, ESPN’s NFL insider Dan Graziano said the ‘most likely outcome’ for Aiyuk this offseason is that he’ll be traded by San Francisco.
“To me, the most likely way this shakes out is Aiyuk ends up getting traded to a team where he’s the clear No. 1 wideout and where he can get the extension he wants, leaving the Niners to draft his replacement in the first round. That’s the cleanest way for them to address all of their other needs. I see San Francisco extending Hufanga and coming to some sort of arrangement with Juszczyk and Greenlaw that keeps them both around.”
Dan Graziano on the San Francisco 49ers offseason moves and a Brandon Aiyuk trade
- Brandon Aiyuk contract: $14.124 million cap hit in 2025, 2025 NFL free agent
Aiyuk, heading into his age-26 season, is one of the best route-runners in the NFL. However, on a team with Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, he doesn’t get the volume of targets that most No. 1 receivers do in a pass-heavy league.
If Aiyuk is traded, teams like the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants and New England Patriots will likely be in the mix for him. All three clubs are in desperate need of a go-to wide receiver that a passing offense can be centered around. While trading Aiyuk will take one of the best players off the 49ers roster, it will also provide the financial flexibility to extend other future free agents and supply more draft capital to address other needs.
