Brandon Aiyuk has established himself as a household name after a breakout campaign in his third NFL season in 2022 and currently leads the 49ers in receiving yards this season while once again proving to be a legitimate No.
1 option in the passing game.
But with a ballooning salary cap in 2024, could the 49ers look to trade Aiyuk during the offseason?
ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained why that could be possible in a recent article highlighting potential surprise trade candidates.
“The 2020 first-round pick is in the middle of a huge season (10th in receiving at 620 yards and averaging 17.
7 yards per reception) and has a fully guaranteed $14.
124 million coming in 2024 on his fifth-year option,” Graziano wrote.
“The reason he’s listed here is that the 49ers are currently projected over or right up against next year’s cap and are already paying out big money to Deebo Samuel at the wide receiver position.
And that’s not to mention the high-end money at tight end, left tackle, linebacker.
.
.
pretty much everywhere except quarterback.
“Aiyuk would definitely be an extension candidate, but so would a lot of guys in San Francisco.
And none of the big receiver extensions we thought were possible last season are coming to fruition.
” Realistically, it’s hard to predict what will happen in this market when Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr.
, Tee Higgins and others complete their deals.
The Niners won’t enough to keep everyone, which means Aiyuk could become a trade candidate this offseason if an extension doesn’t happen.
” While the 49ers almost certainly want to retain Aiyuk’s services, recent history tells us that San Francisco’s dealings with a burgeoning star on the verge of a major contract extension remain within the realm of possibility.
power.
After the 2019 season, former 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner found himself in a similar position entering the fifth year of his rookie contract.
San Francisco decided to trade Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No.
13 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft before Buckner signed a lucrative contract extension with his new team.
San Francisco 49ers
As Aiyuk continues to dominate the opposition, his price tag only increases, potentially forcing the 49ers to make difficult decisions as they try to maintain.
a roster littered with stars on the payroll.
near the top of their respective positions.
