After a turbulent summer season, San Francisco 49ers extensive receiver Brandon Aiyuk has formally requested a commerce.
The 49ers and Aiyuk had been unable to comply with a long-term contract extension, leaving the 26-year-old on the final 12 months of his deal in search of a brand new house.
The Niners drafted Aiyuk within the first spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft, they usually declare that they’re bored with buying and selling him. They simply had this example play out with receiver Deebo Samuel, whom they had been ultimately capable of come to phrases with.
We’ll see if the Niners are bluffing. If that’s the case, these groups may make an aggressive transfer for Aiyuk.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Earlier than the NFL Draft in April, there have been hyperlinks between the Steelers and Aiyuk. Nevertheless, they ended up conserving their high picks, choosing offensive lineman Troy Fautanu within the first spherical, middle Zach Frazier within the second and Michigan receiver Roman Wilson within the third.
Regardless of Wilson’s choice, the Steelers ought to nonetheless be focusing on a receiver after buying and selling Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. They’ve George Pickens, however after that? Not a lot.
The Steelers have a ton of cap house in 2025 and 2026, making an Aiyuk commerce and extension lifelike. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on trial offers, the Steelers ought to give their quarterbacks all the sources essential to succeed.Â
Washington Commanders
Right here’s one other crew with a ton of smoke round Aiyuk all offseason. He’s buddies with Commanders rookie quarterback Jaylen Daniels, so the pairing is smart immediately.
Washington’s receiver room is headlined by Terry McLaurin, however they might undoubtedly use one other big-named participant.Â
The Commanders are within the midst of what appears like a really lengthy rebuild, and they may not be nice in 2024. Meaning they’d seemingly be very hesitant to surrender important draft capital, as their first two choices are prone to be high 50 picks.Â
If the Commanders need to see Daniels develop with an costly WR1, this could possibly be a commerce value making. Equally to Pittsburgh, they’ve the cap house to tug it off.
New England Patriots
It feels so not like the Patriots to make some type of large transfer for a high-priced receiver, however let’s be trustworthy with ourselves. Ever since Invoice Belichick tried to persuade himself and the group that washed-up Josh Gordon and N’Keal Harry had been serviceable, New England has wanted dependable cross catchers.
It’s a brand new period in Foxborough, and the Patriots have to get with the instances offensively beneath Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt’s management.
Giving rookie quarterback Drake Maye an actual extensive receiver looks as if place to start out.