San Francisco 49ers
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After failing to return to the Super Bowl and actually missing out on the postseason altogether, it’s no surprise to see the San Francisco 49ers make changes. While losing nine starters from last year’s team may have been a bit more turnover than most anticipated, the 49ers had to cut costs in anticipation of Brock Purdy‘s contract extension.
We’ve already seen the 49ers trade a former All-Pro by shipping Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. Yet, he might not be the only weapon Purdy loses this offseason.
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San Francisco 49ers face Apr. 1 trade deadline for Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers
Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Another player frequently linked in San Francisco 49ers trade rumors this offseason is former second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk just signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension last offseason after recording a career-high 75 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
But then he struggled to start the season, recording just 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns after being held to seven games due to an ACL injury. That would have equated to a 907-yard campaign, which isn’t what the 49ers had in mind when agreeing to pay him an average of $30 million per season.
Now there are questions about whether the 49ers will try to trade Aiyuk, less than a year after inking him to a massive extension. Yet, if the 49ers are trying to trade him, they’ll have to act quickly.
The 49ers owe Aiyuk a $22.85 million bonus just for being on the roster past Tuesday, April 1. According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, once the 49ers pay that bonus, all Aiyuk trade discussions will “be off.”
As it stands, no trade is expected to happen. Teams appear unwilling to take on a player who wasn’t extremely productive, even before his serious season-ending knee injury. In other words, if Aiyuk or the 49ers want a change of scenery, he’ll have to perform better first.
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