San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Aiyuk is unhappy with the state of his contract and his current involvement in the offense. Aiyuk recorded just three receptions for 49 receiving yards in the Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Aiyuk wants a contract extension this offseason seeing that he's scheduled to play out the 2024 campaign on a fifth-year player option that would pay him $14.1 million. The 49ers could consider trading Aiyuk if the two sides can't reach mutual footing, according to multiple reports.
Aiyuk established himself as a No. 1 go-to receiver this season. The former Arizona State standout totaled 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. If the cash-strapped 49ers struggle to extend Aiyuk’s contract, plenty of suitors would. We've identified three potential landing spots for Aiyuk via trade.
TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans entered the offseason searching for a long-term No. 1 receiver. The departure of A.J. Brown still looms large in Nashville and DeAndre Hopkins is a temporary fix that's entering a contract season in 2024. Hopkins won't be in Tennessee in 2025.
General manager Ran Carthon was San Francisco's director of pro personnel when Aiyuk was drafted. Carthon now has full roster control in Tennessee. In his first offseason as the Titans' general manager, he added three former 49ers in free agency. Expect Carthon to continue acquiring players he's familiar with. The Titans probably wouldn't part with the seventh overall pick in exchange for Aiyuk, but perhaps their second-rounder (No. 38) is high enough to entice San Francisco. The Titans also have the second-most cap space in the league and could easily extend Aiyuk.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Arguably no team needs to add receiver talent to their roster like the Panthers do this offseason. Trading away D.J. Moore and multiple first-round picks in exchange for Bryce Young has thus far backfired. It left the Panthers with precious little resources to surround their No. 1 overall quarterback with.
Carolina fielded a lackluster group of receivers throughout 2023 as a result. Making continued investments in Young's development is of the utmost importance this summer. New head coach Dave Canales is an offensive-minded leader who understands the importance of difference-making receivers after coaching many of them in Tampa Bay and Seattle. If the Panthers are planning on using the 33rd pick on a receiver, and they should be, trading it for a sure thing in Aiyuk would be a better strategy.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
I'm not convinced the Patriots will stick and pick a quarterback with the third overall selection. The roster is barren of talent and trade-back scenarios could emerge. If the Patriots add extra draft capital, one of the picks could be flipped to the 49ers in exchange for Aiyuk.
Bill Belichick struggled mightily to acquire legitimate receivers throughout the latter years of his tenure, burning through capital (money and draft picks) on overrated talents. Perhaps the new regime will possess more luck in this department, but adding a known commodity like Aiyuk would be a relief given the organization's recent track record with receivers. The Patriots, who are projected to have more than $70 million in cap space, could then sign Aiyuk to a multi-year extension that approaches $25 million annually.
