This story was originally published by Dead Spin
After a turbulent summer, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has formally requested a trade.
The 49ers and Aiyuk were unable to agree to a long-term contract extension, leaving the 26-year-old on the last year of his deal seeking a new home.
The Niners drafted Aiyuk in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and they claim that they’re uninterested in trading him. They just had this situation play out with receiver Deebo Samuel, whom they were eventually able to come to terms with.
We’ll see if the Niners are bluffing. If so, these teams could make an aggressive move for Aiyuk.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 31, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) breaks a tackle attempt by Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during the first half at Lumen Field. credits: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports Before the NFL Draft in April, there were links between the Steelers and Aiyuk. However, they ended up keeping their top picks, selecting offensive lineman Troy Fautanu in the first round, center Zach Frazier in the second and Michigan receiver Roman Wilson in the third.
Despite Wilson’s selection, the Steelers should still be targeting a receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. They have George Pickens, but after that? Not much.
The Steelers have a ton of cap space in 2025 and 2026, making an Aiyuk trade and extension realistic. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on trial deals, the Steelers should give their quarterbacks all of the resources necessary to succeed.Â
Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. is one of Washington’s top offensive weapons, but they could still use receiving help. Photo source: Getty Images Here’s another team with a ton of smoke around Aiyuk all offseason. He’s buddies with Commanders rookie quarterback Jaylen Daniels, so the pairing makes sense right away.
Washington’s receiver room is headlined by Terry McLaurin, but they could definitely use another big-named player.Â
The Commanders are in the midst of what feels like a very long rebuild, and they might not be great in 2024. That means they’d likely be very hesitant to give up significant draft capital, as their first two selections are likely to be top 50 picks.Â
If the Commanders want to see Daniels grow with an expensive WR1, this could be a trade worth making. Similarly to Pittsburgh, they have the cap space to pull it off.
New England Patriots
Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo answers questions from the media at a press conference at Gillette Stadium to announce his hiring as head coach. credits: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports It feels so unlike the Patriots to make some sort of massive move for a high-priced receiver, but let’s be honest with ourselves. Ever since Bill Belichick tried to convince himself and the organization that washed-up Josh Gordon and N’Keal Harry were serviceable, New England has needed reliable pass catchers.
It’s a new era in Foxborough, and the Patriots need to get with the times offensively under Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt’s leadership.
Giving rookie quarterback Drake Maye a real wide receiver seems like a good place to start.
