49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk trade destinations: Steelers, Commanders top list

It seems now that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers are in a bit of a predicament.

An unhappy wide receiver said to have had a meeting with the head of the team Kyle Shanahan and the General Manager John Lynch this week. The player and the 49ers have not been able to agree on the amount to be paid to Aiyuk in a clean deal for the contract extension.

Aiyuk, 26, is in the final season of his initial contract and a $14M pay as a restricted free agent. 1 million to spend on their roster for the up coming season. He wants to be remunerated alongside the highest earners in the league, which now earn in the region of $30 million per year.

However, the 49ers already have the receiver Deebo Samuel on the team’s roster through 2023, after signing a three-year, $73. 5 million deal. In the current off-season there was change of ownership where the San Francisco team signed Christian McCaffrey to a new deal that entailed that he earns more than any other running back in the NFL. The Niners also still lock up Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Javon Hargrave, Fred Warner and George Kittle in the long term attractive contracts. Even after the 2024 season, Brock Purdy is set to be paid very highly as a quarterback after signing for a new contract.

Still, with the forty-ninerians actively pursuing a Super Bowl, Aiyuk’s price might well skyrocket beyond affordability by 2024. To protect themselves at the position, the 49ers signed no. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings to a two year $15. 4 million deal, and signed the draft receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in April.

Lynch said in early May that the Niners were “past” entertainment trade offers for Aiyuk and Samuel. But if things do not work out for those parties or if Aiyuk demands a new deal and San Francisco grows tired of waiting and is willing to trade at some point in the summer, these are five teams that should be targeted in a trade.

The Steelers require veteran receiver help, and Aiyuk is on their radar; they have considered a trading partner. If it is Wilson who will take over the reins of the Steelers or Fields, a stellar target for Big Ben must be added to complement Pickens.

Finally, Over the Cap sites the Steelers as the third-lowest team in the NFL in receiver salaries at $14 million. It added that the cap space in Pittsburgh is about $16 million, meaning the team can afford to sign Aiyuk to the deal he wants.

Pittsburgh scored a league-worst 18 points per game last year and was miserable on the ground and through the air, averaging only 186 passing yards per game on a league-worst 6. In Aiyuk the Steelers would obtain the opportunity to have a new and relatively developed threat at the outside receiver while maintaining a powerful ground game. That would help to compete in one of the NFL best divisions Pro Football Talk’s Darin Ruf claimed.

Washington Commanders

Adam Peters is currently the general manager of Washington and had worked in the front office of San Francisco; hence, he understands Lynch’s experience in the 49ers and may help facilitate a beneficial trade for both organizations.

Aiyuk is familiar with Washington assistant Anthony Lynn from their days together in the 49ers and the receiver played with Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in college at Arizona State. The Commanders could also use a skilled wideout across from McLaurin, and Aiyuk would get along quite well with Daniels.

Daniels, too, was prepared for this but in mid-June Aiyuk FaceTimed him and said that the Niners don’t want him back. And then this week, and there was the story that was traveling around that San Francisco had explored an Aiyuk deal with Washington prior to the draft.

Buffalo Bills

I think with Stefon Diggs traded to the Houston Texans, the Bills need a No. 1 receiver while trying to battle with the Chiefs for the throne of the AFC.

Buffalo chose Florida State receiver Keon Coleman in the second round and had already two quality tight ends in Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.

The Bills may employ two-tight-end sets more in 2024, but now that they have Aiyuk on the roster, they will have another bona fide No. 1 wideout to go to with thrower Josh Allen. That would take pressure off of Joe Brady’s offense, provide them with a true deep threat who can move the chains.

Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh did not retain experienced wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, both of whom who had $20 million-a-year deals. Overall, the Chargers will spend less than that at receiver this year ranking 28th in the NFL.

Despite the Chargers’ ambitions to run the football and construct a roster that is not aimed at contending for a title right now, Aiyuk adds the type of true No.

For the Bolts to be able to challenge for the title in the near future specifically in the AFC West, you want a player like Aiyuk who can give you that explosive aspect on offense.

Indianapolis Colts

Another receiver to set up on the outside could prove beneficial to second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. The head coach Shane Steichen of the Colts is also an offensive play caller and he fully grasps how to utilize an explosion like Aiyuk.

And Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard has the experience of big deals with the 49ers. Four years ago, he traded a first round pick for San Francisco All-Pro defensive lineman DeForrest Buckner.

Guarantee you Aiyuk is just as good at his position and could fetch a first rounder if the Colts could just make him happy with a new contract. Indianapolis in March extended Michael Pittman Jr. for three years and $70 million. Maybe that contract would be more agreeable to San Francisco in a trade of Aiyuk?