Of the many trade “will-they, won’t-they” storylines of the offseason, the sole main three left post-free agency are receiver, Tee Higgins, edge rusher, Haason Reddick and Brandon Aiyuk.
Will The San Francisco 49ers Finally Trade Brandon Aiyuk?
Ever since Deebo Samuel signed a 3 year, $73.5 million extension in 2022, it has felt like there have been persistent rumors of the San Francisco 49ers moving off of Aiyuk.
However, after a breakout season in 2023 (not that his prior 3 were not also excellent), where he made the second team All Pro and cemented himself as the 49ers’ clear number 1 receiver, there have been contrasting beliefs as to what whether the Niners will/should trade Aiyuk.
Recently, reports surfaced that the 49ers’ asking price for the Arizona State alum, rejected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, was the 17th overall pick and Zay Jones. To my mind, this does not even seem particularly wild for a still young (just turned 26) player in the absolute heart of his prime coming off his best season yet.
Now, another team has popped up as perhaps Brandon Aiyuk’s favored destination, per Ari Meirov.
Latest tweet from #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk… pic.twitter.com/WPpnheKXMF
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 19, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t post on Twitter/X much. This is the first thing he has sent since April of 2023… https://t.co/Ym29L3iYYG
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 19, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk Headed To the Midwest?
Aiyuk is obviously teasing in his manner, knowing, especially in the lulling offseason in the week after the free agent frenzy, that any communication from him implying a trade will be picked up and circulated through the media (as it is being done now).
Yet, any declaration of interest from the Nevada native could help speed along trade talks – especially as the 49ers have explicitly named their price – and not an exorbitant one at that – so they are evidently willing to do business and move on in what is expected to be a very strong wide receiver class.
Moreover, the Pittsburgh Steelers makes perfect sense as Aiyuk’s next team: having traded lead receiver, Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson, the team is looking for a new number one man to pair opposite talented wideout, George Pickens, and strong role players in speedster, Calvin Austin III, and recently acquired former Super Bowl champion, Van Jefferson.
Bringing in Russell Wilson to kickstart their offense having suffered enough through the Kenny Pickett/Matt Canada tenure, the Steelers will want to give their new quarterback (or perhaps “quarterbacks”) a strong foundation to properly compete in an exceptionally strong AFC North.
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