As the Deebo Samuel sweepstakes continues to heat up, rival teams are sniffing around on another 49ers receiver. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, teams have expressed interest in trading for 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk, of course, was one of the main characters of the 2024 offseason. The receiver was a mainstay in trade rumors before ultimately signing a four-year, $120MM extension with the Niners. The drama proved to be especially worthwhile for the player after he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in October, an injury that surely would have impacted his earnings potential in 2025.
A trade market would obviously look different in 2025 vs. 2024. Besides Aiyuk’s injury and impending rehab, the receiver is now firmly attached to a contract that’s tied for fifth at the position in average annual value. Last offseason’s saga featured plenty of potential suitors. The wideout reportedly nixed a trade to the Steelers, and he wasn’t interested in re-signing with the Patriots and Browns. The Commanders also reached out about a deal, although the 49ers were reportedly asking for Terry McLaurin in return.
Samuel’s recent trade request also changes things. The 49ers may be even more reliant on Aiyuk moving forward, as the organization intends to honor Samuel’s wish. The Commanders are once again talking trade with San Francisco, as we heard yesterday that they’re one of two teams “aggressively” pursuing the veteran (along with the Texans).
Any teams interested in Aiyuk would surely be looking to buy low. Even before his season-ending injury, Aiyuk wasn’t putting up the same numbers as his All-Pro 2023 campaign. After averaging 83.9 yards per game in 2023, Aiyuk dropped to 53.4 yards per game in 2024, with his catch percentage and receiving success rate also dropping to career lows.
There’s no true incentive for the 49ers to sell Aiyuk when his value is lowest, and the team would surely prefer he just returns to form and leads the depth chart. The likes of Jauan Jennings, 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, and 2024 fourth-round Jacob Cowing could easily step up in 2025, but the team will already be relying on the depth with Deebo out the door.
What an idiot this guy is.
I say he was pretty smart, secured his big contract prior to the injury. The injury had nothing to do with missing camp and being out of shape, just a tough hit.
The Niners would be dumb as hell to trade him now, there’d be so much dead money
Why would anyone trade for an over priced malcontent coming off of significant injury?
Niners would be selling low and probably be happy to dump contract. The team that traded for him would be crazy.
Dead money if traded before June 1 is something like 60 million. He’s not getting traded
Steelers are desperate for a WR1
Be pretty awesome addition honestly
If they were desperate, they’d have given a 5th to miners for Deebo.
Don’t see many teams offering what the 9ers wanted last year. The knee injury drops the price a lot which is why teams are reaching out.
Trade Deebo, trade Aiyuk, and sign Prody to a 40-50m a year deal… smart.
60 mill dead cap for trading Aiyuk alone. Stupid.
SF’s “mini-dynasty” (I use that term as loosely as possible) is over due to a combination of bad luck with injuries, but also financial mismanagement of their own talent. The wrong players got the extensions.
Why would any team trade for an overpaid wr?
Patriots got the money to do it if they can’t get Tee Higgins. I’d also see comanders and chargers as two good fits. Gonna be a fun free agency imo
49ers are the epitome of ‘Even Steven’ or simply have the dumbest luck ever and i love it lol..They over trade for a bad QB and then find franchise QB with their last pick. Overpay their WRs and yet find gems in the draft to easily replace them, etc etc etc. No matter what they do they come out even haha
As a Seahawks fan I hate thier luck…lol
I’m glad the Broncos are staying out of all this Niners jazz.