Hypothesis on Brandon Aiyuk’s future has been simmering for months now with the All-Professional receiver and the San Francisco 49ers being unable to succeed in an settlement on a brand new contract. Now the scenario has escalated with Aiyuk formally requesting a commerce from San Francisco, upping the stakes forward of coaching camp.
Supply: #49ers All-Professional WR Brandon Aiyuk has formally requested a commerce after an offseason of unsuccessful makes an attempt to succeed in an extension.
Regardless of a latest assembly, the Niners haven’t been prepared to interact in negotiations since Could so Aiyuk has respectfully requested out. pic.twitter.com/EWxYMvsHch
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 16, 2024
The obvious consequence to all that is that Aiyuk and the Niners both attain phrases on a brand new deal, or he begrudging performs out his contract at which level he’ll be a free agent — the place it’s unlikely the 49ers would give him the franchise tag. Nonetheless, this is a corporation that’s fairly cagey with its personnel choices, and that might open the door for a commerce to make sure the Niners get one thing greater than a compensatory choose.
Because it stands Aiyuk is about to make $14.1M in 2024, which limits the variety of groups with open cap house to make a deal. Now, a brand new contract might be agreed to as quickly as a commerce is executed — however that’s an excellent place to begin to guage who may (and may) choose up the telephone.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have to be a giant time participant in relation to Aiyuk. Because it stands the group is slated to begin Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas at WR, whereas they hope rookie Ja’Lynn Polk can turn into a long run choice.
Suffice it to say, it is a unhealthy receiver room in want of improve.
Usually the Pats are a group that makes lengthy, thought-about choices in relation to group constructing, however there’s immense stress to get the present on the highway and begin successful some video games. Any hopes of that hinges on the group’s means to develop rookie QB Drake Maye shortly, and if we realized something from the 2023 Carolina Panthers and Bryce Younger it’s that being low-cost at WR with a prime rookie QB is a foul recipe.
If New England supplied a pair of second spherical picks (and even their first) to get somebody of Aiyuk’s caliber it wouldn’t be a foul transfer. They’ve over $41M in open cap house making the contract straightforward to soak up, and with Aiyuk at 26-years-old it could be a no brainer to pony up and get him his cash.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are very excessive on the record for 2 predominant causes:
- They’ve $36M in cap house
- Aiyuk has indicated he’s concerned with Washington as a possible vacation spot
Just like New England, the motivation right here is to begin Jayden Daniels off on the precise foot and get this group successful shortly. Because it stands the receiver scenario in Washington isn’t abysmal with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, however after that it falls off a cliff. Including somebody like Aiyuk would push the entire depth chart round in a method that will give Daniels three weapons to jumpstart his profession, whereas truly making the Commanders a group to observe within the NFC East.
The query turns into: Do you assume it is possible for you to to draft a receiver of Aiyuk’s caliber in 2025? If the reply is “no,” then you definately make this deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers
One other group Aiyuk has talked about up to now, there’s a large window right here for a cross catcher after the group traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. George Pickens is nice, and Aiyuk is a perfect match throughout from him.
That is already a aggressive group who must be pushing for an AFC North title, and with $15M in cap they will barely squeeze in Aiyuk below the wire, doubtlessly holding him on the identical cash in yr one and discovering widespread floor on a long-term deal.
Contemplating this group went 10-7 with horrible quarterbacks in 2023, including Aiyuk and both having Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at QB is a recipe for achievement.
Arizona Cardinals
It will take so much for the 49ers to think about buying and selling Aiyuk inside their very own division, however this might make a ton of sense. One other constructing group, there’s essential stress on Kyler Murray to make an impression this season whereas Jonathan Gannon continues to work on the protection.
Aiyuk wouldn’t simply be an instantaneous weapon, however an important tutor to assist Marvin Harrison Jr. alter to the NFL. It additionally dovetails their contracts properly with MHJ on a rookie deal, whereas Aiyuk will get paid.
Now, the Cardinals aren’t precisely a premier vacation spot for high-profile gamers, however this might be a spot to observe for contemplating the cap house, quarterback, and the oft-overlooked tilt of getting a bit of revenge on a former group.
Los Angeles Chargers
Whereas it actually appears that Jim Harbaugh is constructing this group in his picture as a run-first, defensive squad — that doesn’t imply the Chargers can fully ignore the WR place, particularly when you may have Justin Herbert.
With each Mike Williams and Keenan Allen on new groups there’s an enormous hole for the Chargers to improve at WR and hold issues rolling. The transfer would hold Aiyuk inside the identical state that he’s come to name dwelling, however merely shifting to SoCal — and it additionally retains him out of convention.
In the event you have a look at the form of quarterbacks Aiyuk has thrived with then Herbert suits the invoice together with his accuracy and anticipation. The 2 may have actual success collectively and spherical out the offense in a method the desperately want.
Brandon Aiyuk, Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey make a captivating WR secure to see the Chargers turn into an actual menace within the AFC West.
New York Jets
By no means rely out the Jets in relation to a commerce like this. The group is up towards the cap, solely having $6M in free house proper now, however their rumored curiosity in a possible Davante Adams commerce means the group is a minimum of exploring the concept of upgrading their offense earlier than the season.
That is do-or-die for the Jets, who’re 100% all-in on successful proper now, and would pay virtually any worth to make it occur. Aiyuk doesn’t have the familiarity with Aaron Rodgers that Adams does, but when the Raiders resolve they don’t need to deal their prime receiver, or if these talks by no means materialize, then it wouldn’t be stunning to see New York step in and attempt to get one thing executed.
