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 achieve 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 achieve an extension.
Regardless of a latest assembly, the Niners haven’t been keen to have interaction in negotiations since Might so Aiyuk has respectfully requested out. pic.twitter.com/EWxYMvsHch
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 16, 2024
The obvious end result 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. Nevertheless, this is a company that’s fairly cagey with its personnel choices, and that would open the door for a commerce to make sure the Niners get one thing greater than a compensatory decide.
Because it stands Aiyuk is ready to make $14.1M in 2024, which limits the variety of groups with open cap area to make a deal. Now, a brand new contract may very well be agreed to as quickly as a commerce is executed — however that’s a great start line to guage who may (and will) decide 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 grow to be a long run choice.
Suffice it to say, it is a dangerous receiver room in want of improve.
Usually the Pats are a group that makes lengthy, thought of choices in relation to group constructing, however there’s immense stress to get the present on the street and begin profitable some video games. Any hopes of that hinges on the group’s capability to develop rookie QB Drake Maye rapidly, and if we discovered something from the 2023 Carolina Panthers and Bryce Younger it’s that being low-cost at WR with a prime rookie QB is a nasty recipe.
If New England provided a pair of second spherical picks (and even their first) to get somebody of Aiyuk’s caliber it wouldn’t be a nasty transfer. They’ve over $41M in open cap area making the contract straightforward to soak up, and with Aiyuk at 26-years-old it might be a no brainer to pony up and get him his cash.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are very excessive on the checklist for 2 essential causes:
- They’ve $36M in cap area
- Aiyuk has indicated he’s excited by 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 profitable rapidly. 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 means that may give Daniels three weapons to jumpstart his profession, whereas really making the Commanders a group to look at within the NFC East.
The query turns into: Do you suppose 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 prior to now, there’s an enormous window right here for a move 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 needs to be pushing for an AFC North title, and with $15M in cap they will barely squeeze in Aiyuk underneath the wire, probably preserving him on the identical cash in 12 months one and discovering frequent 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 might take rather a lot for the 49ers to contemplate buying and selling Aiyuk inside their very own division, however this could make a ton of sense. One other constructing group, there’s crucial stress on Kyler Murray to make an affect this season whereas Jonathan Gannon continues to work on the protection.
Aiyuk wouldn’t simply be a right away weapon, however a significant tutor to assist Marvin Harrison Jr. regulate 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 may very well be a spot to look at for contemplating the cap area, quarterback, and the oft-overlooked tilt of getting a little bit 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 have got 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 maintain issues rolling. The transfer would maintain 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.
For those who take a look at the type of quarterbacks Aiyuk has thrived with then Herbert matches the invoice together with his accuracy and anticipation. The 2 may have actual success collectively and spherical out the offense in a means the desperately want.
Brandon Aiyuk, Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey make an enchanting WR secure to see the Chargers grow to be an actual risk 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 area proper now, however their rumored curiosity in a possible Davante Adams commerce means the group is not less than 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 profitable 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 wish 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.
