49ers Proposed Trade Sends Projected $91 Million Star to Jaguars
There’s still a lot of football to be played for the San Francisco 49ers—we expect so, at least—but for much of the NFL, 2023 is drawing to a close. And that’s got many turning the focus to 2024 and what might be done in the upcoming offseason. Though it is far from the minds of the 49ers and their fans, one of the hot topics that figure to bubble up in the coming weeks is the potential for a Brandon Aiyuk trade.
Of course, folks in the Bay Area don’t want to hear that kind of chatter. But when the realities of the 49ers’ talent bonanza start to come into focus—there are a lot of very good players that will need paying—the 49ers will have to make some hard choices. And a Brandon Aiyuk trade could become a necessity to keep the books balanced
That’s one driver behind a proposed deal from Bleacher Report this week, one they’re calling a trade that, “makes too much sense.” In it, Aiyuk would be shipped off to Jacksonville for a first-round pick and other draft considerations.
49ers Would Prefer Not to Deal
The author of the article at B/R notes that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence needs added help, and that the team has some questions about whether receiver Calvin Ridley is a true No. 1. That’s where a Brandon Aiyuk trade makes enormous sense for Jacksonville. He’s piled up 1,317 yards receiving on 72 receptions this year, adding seven touchdowns. And he’s still just 25.
“While the Niners would reportedly prefer not to trade Aiyuk due to his fit in the offense and strong chemistry with burgeoning quarterback Brock Purdy, salary-cap constraints may leave them with little choice in the matter,” Kay wrote.
“If Aiyuk becomes available, the Jaguars should be extremely interested. … If the Jaguars opt to extend Ridley, the move would cost them a second-round pick as part of his trade conditions. Jacksonville could instead allocate that type of capital toward the acquisition of Aiyuk, who will likely cost a first-round pick plus additional draft selections.”
That’s not a bad haul for Aiyuk. The cuts the team would have to make elsewhere—star tight end George Kittle, for example, or some of the team’s defensive talent—could force the 49ers into the move.
