Where will Brandon Aiyuk land for the 2024 season? (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
One of the unresolved issues of the NFL offseason took another turn Tuesday when receiver Brandon Aiyuk, unhappy with the lack of a contract extension, formally requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s unusual for a player as good as Aiyuk to be available, if he will actually be available. Aiyuk had 75 catches for 1,342 yards last season on a loaded 49ers offense. Justin Jefferson just signed a contract worth a record $35 million per season and while Aiyuk is likely to match that, his extension is going to be massive.
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If Aiyuk moves, it’s a rare season-shifting move in mid-to-late July. Here are the most likely landing spots for Aiyuk:
San Francisco 49ers
There’s a reason Aiyuk wasn’t traded over the offseason. The 49ers are one of the favorites to win a Super Bowl after losing it in overtime last season. Aiyuk is one of their best players. As much as Aiyuk wants a new contract and has earned one, he also doesn’t have that much leverage. It seems like the most likely outcome is the 49ers play hardball with Aiyuk, who is set to make a little more than $14.1 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, and practically force him to play for them this season. Aiyuk wouldn’t be happy but his motivation would be to have a big season and hit free agency (or get the franchise tag, which would presumably lead to another round of contention).
The 49ers are a better team this season with Aiyuk. The draft picks they’d presumably get in a trade wouldn’t help this season as they chase a Super Bowl. Just because Aiyuk requested a trade doesn’t mean it’ll happen. Presumably, San Francisco will do everything it can to make it work with Aiyuk for one more season, and hope that his unhappiness isn’t a distraction in what could be a special season.
The ties between Aiyuk and the Commanders have been lingering all offseason….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-aiyuks-5-most-likely-landing-spots-after-his-trade-request-183215541.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-07-16 18:41:38
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