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 latest assembly, the Niners haven’t been keen to interact in negotiations since Might 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 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 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 start line to judge who may (and may) decide up the cellphone.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have to be a giant time participant in relation to Aiyuk. Because it stands the crew is slated to begin Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas at WR, whereas they hope rookie Ja’Lynn Polk can change into a long run possibility.
Suffice it to say, it is a unhealthy receiver room in want of improve.
Usually the Pats are a crew that makes lengthy, thought-about selections in relation to crew constructing, however there’s immense strain to get the present on the street and begin successful some video games. Any hopes of that hinges on the crew’s capacity to develop rookie QB Drake Maye shortly, 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 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 checklist for 2 essential causes:
- They’ve $36M in cap house
- Aiyuk has indicated he’s interested by Washington as a possible vacation spot
Much like New England, the motivation right here is to begin Jayden Daniels off on the suitable foot and get this crew 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 method that might give Daniels three weapons to jumpstart his profession, whereas really making the Commanders a crew to look at 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,” you then make this deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers
One other crew Aiyuk has talked about up to now, there’s a large window right here for a cross catcher after the crew traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers. George Pickens is nice, and Aiyuk is a perfect match throughout from him.
That is already a aggressive crew 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 maintaining him on the identical cash in yr one and discovering frequent floor on a long-term deal.
Contemplating this crew 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 quite a bit for the 49ers to think about buying and selling Aiyuk inside their very own division, however this is able to make a ton of sense. One other constructing crew, there’s crucial 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. modify 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 look at for contemplating the cap house, quarterback, and the oft-overlooked tilt of getting a bit revenge on a former crew.
Los Angeles Chargers
Whereas it definitely appears that Jim Harbaugh is constructing this crew 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 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 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.
When you have a look at the form of quarterbacks Aiyuk has thrived with then Herbert suits the invoice along 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 an interesting WR secure to see the Chargers change into 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 crew 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 crew 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 value 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 achieved.
