Sherman explains why Cooper can’t replace Aiyuk on 49ers

Sherman explains why Cooper can’t replace Aiyuk on 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As Brandon Aiyuk trade talk heats up, a handful of teams have been linked through various reports to the star 49ers receiver.

In recent days, those teams include the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. San Francisco has negotiated the framework of trades that would send Aiyuk to Cleveland or New England, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on Monday night, leaving it up to Aiyuk to determine if he accepts the contract terms from either of those franchises.

While the ball essentially is in Aiyuk’s court, former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman dissected the possible return San Francisco could receive in a potential trade for Aiyuk, and spoiler alert — he isn’t impressed.

“You go to the Cleveland situation and I’m hearing that it could be Amari Cooper and some picks,” Sherman said on “The Richard Sherman Podcast.” “He fits in some ways into [49ers coach Kyle] Shanahan’s offense, but in other ways, he doesn’t. Brandon Aiyuk blocks his butt off every single play. You’ve seen viral clips of him blocking 60, 70 yards down the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers and in numerous other games. And that’s just the culture in San Francisco. That’s something Amari Cooper would have to adjust to.

“No offense to him, but I don’t ever remember seeing a clip of Amari Cooper blocking 60 yards down the field. And again, how much does that help you right now in San Francisco with the adjustments, some of the injury history of Amari and some of the other concerns that teams have had over the years?”

Cooper, who turned 30 this summer, posted a career-high receiving yards total (1,250) as Cleveland’s No. 1 pass target. He has topped 1,000 yards in four of his last five NFL seasons.

But Sherman isn’t convinced, and having been in the 49ers’ locker room and a part of the culture, he’s concerned with the fit.

And he isn’t blown away by…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sherman-explains-why-cooper-cant-174829218.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-08-07 17:48:29

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