49ers Open To Trading WR Brandon Aiyuk
Recovering from an ACL injury and now attached to a lucrative four-year deal, Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t been nearly as popular on this website as he was last offseason. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s any less available than he was in 2024.
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the 49ers are open to trading their top wide receiver, and there has been “communication with several teams.” This follows a report from earlier this month that rival teams were sniffing around on Aiyuk’s trade availability.
With Aiyuk set to enter the final year of his rookie contract, the receiver appeared to be firmly on the trade block last offseason. He was connected to a number of teams, including a nixed trade to the Steelers, before ultimately inking a four-year, $120MM extension with the 49ers. Aiyuk tore his ACL in October, ending his season prematurely.
Aiyuk’s injury and extension would obviously change his trade market in 2025. Further, the 49ers’ receiving outlook looks a whole lot different than it did just one month ago. Deebo Samuel is now gone, leaving the organization with some question marks at the position.
Jauan Jennings had some standout performances while filling in for teammates in 2024 but has never topped 1,000 yards receiving, and Ricky Pearsall‘s tumultuous rookie season saw him finish with 31 receptions. The team added Demarcus Robinson to a grouping that also includes the likes of 2024 fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing, veteran Russell Gage, and free agent addition Isaiah Hodgins.
In other words, the team is expected to be especially reliant on Aiyuk moving forward, so it’d be a surprise if the team was suddenly willing to pivot when the player’s trade value is likely at its lowest. The timing of a trade could also complicate things. As Schultz notes, Aiyuk has a guaranteed option bonus of $23MM due next week, and a trade would likely have to be consummated before that date.
So, while both the 49ers and suitors may have interest in a potential deal, it seems unlikely that anything will come to fruition any time soon.
Browns “Leaning Towards” Abdul Carter At 2
While plenty could change over the next month, it sounds like we’re starting to get some clarity atop the draft board. During an appearance on NFL Live today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said the Browns are “leaning towards” selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the second-overall pick (h/t ESPN Cleveland).
Schefter cautions that things could change, but he believes Carter is “tracking to being a Brown.” Schefter also notes that the draft’s real intrigue starts with the Giants at No. 3, an indication that the Titans are destined to select Cam Ward with the first-overall pick.
There’s been plenty of speculation about how the Browns would approach this year’s draft. Deshaun Watson is under contract for two more years, but the QB’s second Achilles tear has put his future with Cleveland in doubt. As a result, some pundits have assumed that the organization would jump at one of the draft’s top-two QB prospects, and with Ward trending towards the number-one pick, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders would seemingly be a natural selection.
On the flip side, neither Sanders nor Ward are considered blue-chip prospects, and the Browns would surely be fading more decorated prospects if they chose a QB at No. 2. Carter has always loomed as an option, as the pass rusher is considered one of the best non-QB prospects in the draft. The other contender for that unofficial title would be Colorado’s Travis Hunter. For what it’s worth, the Browns have met with all four of the aforementioned prospects.
Carter climbed to the top of draft boards following a standout 2024 campaign where he collected 12 sacks and a Division I-leading 24 tackles for loss. After entering the pre-draft process with a shoulder injury, Carter was reportedly dealing with a foot issue. Ultimately, it was determined the player didn’t have to go under the knife, and the injuries clearly haven’t done anything to hurt his draft stock.
If Cleveland does ultimately opt for Carter, they’d be forming one of the best pass-rush tandems in the NFL. The Browns committed big money to keep Myles Garrett in Cleveland, but that extension apparently hasn’t dissuaded the front office from pursuing the same position in the draft.
With Ward penciled in at No. 1 and Carter at No. 2, all eyes will turn to the Giants at No. 3. The team has also been mentioned as a landing spot for a QB prospect, even after they added Russell Wilson as their presumed 2025 starter. If the team decides against selecting Sanders, then Hunter would presumably be the team’s target at No. 3.
49ers, Brock Purdy “Actively Negotiating” New Contract
The 49ers have continually made it clear that they intend to keep Brock Purdy around for the foreseeable future. Well, after extension negotiations reportedly started last month, it sounds like the two sides have made some progress.
[RELATED: 49ers Begin Extension Talks With Brock Purdy]
According to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports, Purdy and the 49ers are “actively negotiating” a new deal. The hope is to finalize a contract before the start of the 2025 season.
The source did caution that an extension isn’t imminent, although they left the door open to the contract being finalized before next month’s draft. Either way, there’s a clear expectation that the two sides will cross the finish line over the next few months.
By now, we’re all familiar with Purdy’s story. The former Mr. Irrelevant guided his team to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie and the Super Bowl as a sophomore. While the 49ers’ 2024 campaign didn’t go as planned, Purdy has still established himself as a franchise quarterback…while also setting himself up for a lucrative pay day.
By virtue of his No. 262 slot on the draft board, Purdy has provided the 49ers with a massive discount over the past three years, with the QB earning $2.6MM over that span. Thanks to performance escalators, Purdy will see a significant jump to $5.2MM in 2025, although that’s still an obvious discount when compared to the rest of the market.
While it seems inevitable that Purdy will ink an extension with the 49ers, there’s still a question of how much that contract will be worth. Per Schultz, Purdy will have a difficult time matching Dak Prescott‘s $60MM AAV, but several sources believe he’ll still clock in at around $50MM to $55MM. A rival GM also suggested that Purdy could take a slight discount to continue helping his organization, although that same executive still believes he’ll approach the top of the market.
The 49ers front office hasn’t had the easiest time navigating recent extensions to star players. As Schultz notes, extensions for Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk were completed right before the regular season, and deals for Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel also led to “drawn-out” processes. The organization will surely be looking to avoid the drama with their QB, and it sounds like there’s extra motivation to sign Purdy as soon as possible.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/26/25
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed RFA tender: OL Cade Mays
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed ERFA tender: DT Matthew Butler
New York Giants
- Signed ERFA tender: LB Dyontae Johnson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed ERFA tender: DL Sam Okuayinonu
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR James Proche
Titans Sign QB Tim Boyle
While the Titans continue to move closer to selecting a quarterback with the first-overall pick, the team has added some veteran help at the position. The Titans announced today that they’ve signed quarterback Tim Boyle.
A 2018 UDFA, Boyle has settled into a clear backup role at this point of his career. The veteran has appeared in 23 career games, spending time with the Packers, Lions, Bears, Jets, Texans, Dolphins, and Giants. He’s gone winless in his five career starts, tossing four touchdowns vs. nine interceptions in those outings.
The 30-year-old bounced around the league a bit in 2024. He was cut by the Texans at the end of the preseason before landing on Miami’s practice squad. He got into two games with the Dolphins but was ultimately cut in October. He landed with the Giants, where he’d finish the season. In total, Boyle got into three games last year, completing 27 of his 50 pass attempts for 276 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The Titans already brought in another veteran QB this offseason in Brandon Allen, and the two acquisitions join holdover Will Levis on the depth chart. A 2023 second-round pick, Levis wasn’t drafted by the current Titans regime, and the addition of a second clear backup could signal that Levis will inevitably be shuttled off the roster. There’s also a chance the Titans skip the QB position or trade out of the No. 1 pick, although that’s seeming increasingly unlikely as the team prepares for a second meeting with Cam Ward.
Chargers To Re-Sign S Tony Jefferson
Tony Jefferson is sticking in Los Angeles. The veteran safety is re-signing with the Chargers, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. It’s a one-year deal for Jefferson.
Jefferson announced his retirement following the 2022 season and quickly caught on with the Ravens scouting department. He spent a year in that role before reversing course and attempting a comeback. This signing will reunite Jefferson with Chargers GM Joe Hortiz, a former Ravens exec. Jefferson both played for the Ravens and spent a year on their scouting staff.
He ended up catching on with the Chargers, although he was stashed on the practice squad after not making the initial 53-man roster. He got into eight games (four starts), compiling 27 tackles. He also came up big in the playoffs, collecting three tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in the Wild Card Round. For his efforts, Jefferson garnered a pair of Comeback Player of the Year votes.
After cutting his teeth in Arizona, Jefferson made a name for himself in Baltimore, where he started all 30 of his appearances between 2017 and 2018. A torn ACL ended his 2019 campaign early, and since sitting out the 2020 season, Jefferson has settled into more of a backup role with the 49ers, Ravens (second stint), and Giants.
Jefferson saw most of his work last season when Alohi Gilman was on IR, and the veteran stuck in the lineup when Elijah Molden went down with a season-ending injury. That duo (along with top safety Derwin James Jr.) will be back in 2025, so Jefferson will likely be competing for a back-of-the-depth-chart job come training camp.
Raiders To Sign DL Leki Fotu
The Raiders have added some veteran depth to their defensive line. According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders have signed defensive tackle Leki Fotu.
2024 was mostly a lost campaign for Fotu. After signing with the Jets last offseason, the defensive lineman started the season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He was activated in October and got into two games (one start) for his new squad, but he quickly landed back on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Prior to his one-year stop in New York, Fotu was a reliable option on the Cardinals defensive line. A former fourth-round pick, the defensive lineman spent four seasons in Arizona, starting 21 of his 56 appearances. He started 18 of those games between 2022 and 2023, and he finished that latter campaign with career highs in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (five).
Fotu will be joining a relatively deep DL in Las Vegas. After inking a $110MM deal with the Raiders last offseason, Christian Wilkins was limited to only five games in 2024. He’ll be penciled in atop the depth chart, joining Jonah Laulu, who earned the majority of the snaps at the position down the stretch. The Raiders will also return Adam Butler, who led the position grouping in snaps in 2024.
John Jenkins remains unsigned, so there could be a spot for Fotu towards the back of the depth chart. Most likely, the 26-year-old will compete with the likes of Matthew Butler, Zach Carter, and Tyler Manoa for playing time.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/24/25
Today’s minor moves:
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): G Lecitus Smith
Tennessee Titans
- Claimed off waivers (from Patriots): LB Curtis Jacobs
A pair of former Patriots were claimed off waivers today. Lecitus Smith started one of his eight appearances for New England in 2024, although his offensive showing was limited to only five offensive snaps. He spent the 2023 season in Arizona, where he started two of his 10 appearances.
Curtis Jacobs got into nine games (two starts) as a UDFA with the Patriots in 2024, compiling four tackles while spending the majority of his time on special teams. A Penn State product, Jacobs spent last preseason with the Chiefs.
Seahawks To Sign TE Eric Saubert
Eric Saubert is sticking in the NFC West. After spending the 2024 season with the 49ers, the veteran tight end is joining the Seahawks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Saubert is firmly at journeyman status at this point of his career, as the Seahawks will represent his 11th NFL team. Still, the former fifth-round pick has managed to get consistent work, appearing in 101 games across his eight NFL seasons.
Traditionally deployed as a blocking tight end or special teamer, Saubert has seen some work in the receiving game throughout his career. His best offensive showing came with the Broncos in 2022, when he finished with 15 catches for 148 yards.
The 30-year-old got into all 17 games (three starts) for the 49ers last season, hauling in 11 catches while splitting his nearly 700 total snaps between offense and special teams. Saubert was entrenched as the team’s TE2 in 2024, and he earned his handful of starts when George Kittle was out of the lineup.
Saubert could have a tougher path to playing time in Seattle. The Seahawks return their top-two tight ends from 2024 in Noah Fant and AJ Barner, and the team is also still rostering recent UDFA Brady Russell. Saubert’s best path to a roster spot will likely come via special teams, but he’ll need to show some offensive value if he doesn’t want to land on the practice squad.
Eagles To Sign OL Kendall Lamm
Kendall Lamm is continuing his career with the defending champs. Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager reports that the veteran lineman is signing with the Eagles. It will be a one-year deal for Lamm.
[RELATED: Dolphins T Kendall Lamm May Continue Playing]
The long-time backup spent the past three seasons with the Dolphins. After starting only five total games between 2019 and 2022, Lamm started 15 of his 32 appearances over the past two years. This includes a 2024 campaign where he got into 51 percent of his team’s offensive snaps while ranking 32nd among 81 qualifying OTs, per Pro Football Focus. His season ended in December due to a back injury that ultimately required surgery.
After contemplating retirement during the 2023 campaign, Lamm stated his intention to hang up his cleats following the 2024 season. The lineman later walked back this remarks, noting that if he feels good, “we’ll keep it going.”
The 32-year-old will apparently keep it going in Philly. The Eagles are set atop the depth chart with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, but Lamm could be in line for snaps as a swing OT. The team’s current backup options include Laekin Vakalahi and Darian Kinnard, who have a combined three games of experience (all via Kinnard). Lamm brings 119 games of experience across 10 NFL seasons and will likely be the favorite for the role heading into the preseason.