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 state of affairs 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 current assembly, the Niners haven’t been keen to interact in negotiations since Could 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 selections, 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 house to make a deal. Now, a brand new contract could possibly be agreed to as quickly as a commerce is executed — however that’s a superb place to begin to judge who might (and will) decide up the cellphone.
New England Patriots
The Patriots should be an enormous time participant with regards to Aiyuk. Because it stands the workforce is slated to start out Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas at WR, whereas they hope rookie Ja’Lynn Polk can change into a long run choice.
Suffice it to say, this can be a unhealthy receiver room in want of improve.
Usually the Pats are a workforce that makes lengthy, thought of selections with regards to workforce constructing, however there’s immense strain to get the present on the highway and begin successful some video games. Any hopes of that hinges on the workforce’s potential 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 might be a no brainer to pony up and get him his cash.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are very excessive on the record for 2 primary causes:
They’ve $36M in cap house
Aiyuk has indicated he’s focused on Washington as a possible vacation spot
Much like New England, the motivation right here is to start out Jayden Daniels off on the suitable foot and get this workforce successful shortly. Because it stands the receiver state of affairs 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 manner that may give Daniels three weapons to jumpstart his profession, whereas truly making the Commanders a workforce 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 workforce Aiyuk has talked about prior to now, there’s an enormous window right here for a cross catcher after the workforce traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. George Pickens is nice, and Aiyuk is a perfect match throughout from him.
That is already a aggressive workforce who needs to be pushing for an AFC North title, and with $15M in cap they will barely squeeze in Aiyuk below the wire, doubtlessly conserving him on the similar cash in yr one and discovering frequent floor on a long-term deal.
Contemplating this workforce went 10-7 with horrible quarterbacks in 2023, including Aiyuk and both having Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at QB is a recipe for fulfillment.
Arizona Cardinals
It might take so much for the 49ers to contemplate buying and selling Aiyuk inside their very own division, however this is able to make a ton of sense. One other constructing workforce, there’s obligatory strain on Kyler Murray to make an influence this season whereas Jonathan Gannon continues to work on the protection.
Aiyuk wouldn’t simply be a right away weapon, however an important 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 could possibly be a spot to observe for contemplating the cap house, quarterback, and the oft-overlooked tilt of getting a bit revenge on a former workforce.
Los Angeles Chargers
Whereas it definitely appears that Jim Harbaugh is constructing this workforce in his picture as a run-first, defensive squad — that doesn’t imply the Chargers can utterly ignore the WR place, particularly when you’ve 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 preserve issues rolling. The transfer would preserve 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 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 might have actual success collectively and spherical out the offense in a manner the desperately want.
Brandon Aiyuk, Quentin Johnston, and Ladd McConkey make a captivating WR secure to see the Chargers change into an actual menace within the AFC West.
New York Jets
By no means rely out the Jets with regards to a commerce like this. The workforce is up in opposition to the cap, solely having $6M in free house proper now, however their rumored curiosity in a possible Davante Adams commerce means the workforce is at the very least exploring the thought 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 nearly 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 surprising to see New York step in and attempt to get one thing accomplished.
