Speculation is swirling about Brandon Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco.
The 49ers wide receiver is entering the final year of his contract and has let it be known that he aspires to ink a long-term deal.
At this year’s NFL scouting combine, 49ers general manager John Lynch endorsed the idea of Aiyuk remaining in the Bay Area.
“Brandon’s one that we think incredibly highly of, one of my favorite guys around our building,” Lynch said at the combine, per the 49ers official website. “The way he approaches the game, he’s a competitor. He’s a warrior. He plays with such a physicality, also with a grace, the way some of the positions his body can get into.
“Then, he’s got a flare for making plays when it matters most, and he’s served us very well as a franchise. I think we’ve got a nice track record of extending the players that are important to us and Brandon’s a guy we want to keep around for a long time.”
Despite Lynch’s sentiments about Aiyuk, there are rumors the wide receiver could be on his way out of San Francisco. Aiyuk exacerbated such rumors when he tagged Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in a post on X after being linked to the team as a potential landing spot should he leave the Niners.
Are the Steelers a potential new home for Aiyuk if the 49ers decided to trade him? USA TODAY Sports examines five teams who could use Aiyuk’s services.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers remodeled their quarterback room with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and they traded away receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. The Steelers want to upgrade their wide receiving corps. The club was in the running to sign Mike Williams before he landed in New York.
As mentioned above, Aiyuk has already flirted with the idea of playing in Pittsburgh – and the Steelers need a reliable wide receiver opposite of George Pickens.
2. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were targeting Williams before he signed with the Jets. Carolina traded for wide receiver Diontae Johnson already this offseason. Another trade for an additional wide receiver seems unlikely, but the Panthers do want to continue to add weapons for second-year quarterback Bryce Young.
The Panthers had the NFL’s worst ranked total offense in 2023 and finished last in passing yards per game. Help is needed in Carolina.
3. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals might have the worst receiving corps in the NFL. Arizona’s top receivers are currently Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal and Michael Wilson.
The Cardinals own the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, and many mock drafts have the team selecting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Even if the Cardinals pick a wideout in the first round, they could use a possession receiver like Aiyuk, who has the ability to gain yards after the catch.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers lost their top two wide receivers this offseason. Justin Herbert needs some receivers to throw to other than Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston, neither of which are No. 1 receiving options. Los Angeles has roughly $38 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. They could trade for Aiyuk and ink him to a long-term contract. However, the Chargers might prioritize drafting a wide receiver early in the 2024 NFL draft. The Chargers currently own the No. 5 pick in the first round.
5. New England Patriots
The Patriots have around $50 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap. The Patriots signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett this offseason. Many expect the club to select a QB with the third overall pick in this year’s draft.
New England re-signed WR Kendrick Bourne and signed WR K.J. Osborn in free agency, but the club doesn’t have a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. Aiyuk would instantly have a chance to become that top guy.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
2024-03-20 19:18:45
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