BREAKING NEWS: Deebo Samuel has been suspended for 1year from team of san francisco 49ers today due to…….Read More..
The San Francisco 49ers have reached a crossroads with Brandon Aiyuk. The star wideout is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the club, but there’s a chance Aiyuk doesn’t suit up for the Niners at all in 2024.
Aiyuk declined to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp, starting off what could be a potentially lengthy holdout for the receiver as he seeks a new deal. According to The San Francisco Chronicle’s Mike Silver, the 49ers have reportedly put an offer in “in the $26 million range” on the table but Aiyuk is allegedly looking for more. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the wideout wants to earn more than the $28 million annually that Amon-Ra St. Brown recently agreed to with the Detroit Lions.
If the two sides cannot break this impasse, a trade may be the best option. The cash-strapped 49ers would benefit from not only freeing up the money earmarked for Aiyuk’s next contract, but also from returning a hefty amount of draft capital and/or useful young talent.
With that in mind, here are four trade packages the Niners would have to consider if floated.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to enter a new era after making multiple quarterback-related maneuvers this offseason. While the team should improve with Russell Wilson now under center, it still needs to find an elite wideout to pair with George Pickens to round out the passing attack
Adding Aiyuk into the mix would give Pittsburgh one of the most devastating receiving corps in football. The wideout has thrived in the same offense as another top-tier talent in Deebo Samuel during their time together in San Francisco and should have no problem continuing to dominate alongside Pickens.
A first-round pick should get the 49ers’ brass listening, while adding in Darnell Washington—the massive tight end who Pittsburgh brought in with the No. 93 overall pick last year—could sweeten the pot enough to get a deal done.
Washington’s rookie stats may not jump off the page, but the raw 6’7″, 264-pounder could flourish in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s creative San Francisco offense. The 22-year-old would immediately slot in as a capable blocking tight end with the upside to replace George Kittle as a top receiving threat down the line.
