Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is available for trade by the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick, but the 49ers have high demands that opposing teams must match in order to complete a deal.
After San Francisco’s overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in February, there was allegedly animosity between the 26-year-old and the team. Aiyuk’s camp was upset with how he was being used because he only caught three catches for 49 yards in the 25-22 loss.
“Don’t forget what got you there,” Aiyuk said in a mysterious Instagram Story. And his girlfriend Rochelle Searight followed up on TikTok: “This might be the last day that we touch foot on Levi’s Stadium, me and Brandon. Because we might not be out here next season.”
But because San Francisco selected Aiyuk’s fifth-year option, which guarantees him a $14 million contract year, he is not a free agent this offseason and can only leave the 49ers through a trade.
The Athletic reports that San Francisco will consider trade offers for Aiyuk during the first round of the NFL Draft next month, with that round serving as their asking price. Like they did with Deebo Samuel when they received offers from the Detroit Lions and the New York Jets, they are not desperate, though, and they won’t let him go for less than they want.
It appears that the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who recently acquired two quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are both interested in signing Aiyuk. The Patriots, who now own the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, are probably going to select a quarterback, and Jayden Daniels of LSU is a prime candidate.
They may also think about enticing the 49ers into a trade by offering an offensive weapon to any potential rookie quarterback by using future draft picks.
The Steelers, meanwhile, are ranked 20th after the first round. Pittsburgh is projected by NFL.com to choose Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round.
Other teams, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are in need of a receiver and are now 17th in the standings, may also choose to enter the battle for Aiyuk. The Tennessee Titans claimed Calvin Ridley from the team, but Gabe Davis, a former Buffalo Bills wide receiver, was added.
In 2024, the Jaguars may be in danger if they continue to play with Gabe Davis, Zay Jones, and Christian Kirk. Aiyuk, who averages roughly 100 targets every season on average, may be a huge asset to Trevor Lawrence’s attack.