We are in the middle of June. It’s usually a dead period for the NFL. Not many headlines across the league, except for a few contract extensions here and there. However, one major newsworthy headline with no answer yet is the contract of Brandon Aiyuk. The wideout has already been missing team workouts and minicamp and could be on the verge of missing training camp too.
Now, the reason is obvious: Aiyuk wants a shiny new contract that will make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league. We’ve seen Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown get paid massive extensions this offseason. The 49ers wideout knows that, and wants his name on that list too.
However, San Francisco has struggled to find a deal that works with their number one wideout (yes, it’s Aiyuk, not Deebo Samuel). Reports have said the team offered him a deal around the $26 million per year range. It may not be the same amount like Jefferson, but it’s closer to what guys like Cooper Kupp and Devonta Smith are making.
But, that amount is nothing close to even what St. Brown is making ($30 million). The 49ers wideout is considered a top-10 wide receiver by most of the league. The market continues to grow, and it wont stop. Aiyuk may not be as great as Jefferson. But, he wants to be paid like him. Well, at least close enough to it.
Wait, So Is There A Certain Amount Per Year He Wants?
Reports say there is. Aiyuk’s personal wide receiver coach T.J. Houshmandzadeh spoke to a radio station and explained his client would have agreed to a deal with the 49ers if the team offered him the same deal as Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million extension).
Do the math, and the team and Aiyuk are $4 million apart from one another.
A Trade With One Particular Team Could Be Done
With all of this said, plus a certain released video, it’s clear the best thing for both sides would be for the 49ers to trade Brandon Aiyuk.
Here we go …
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) June 17, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk on TikTok: “I’m laughing but I’m crying fr”
Jayden Daniels: “What happened bro”
Aiyuk : “They said they don’t want me back… I swear”
(h/t: @Coach_Yac)
pic.twitter.com/BKOjDJvjDI
One team stands out the most (and if you couldn’t guess from the video), and that’s the Washington Commanders.
The Washington Commanders Make So Much Sense
To start, Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was teammates with Aiyuk during their days at Arizona State.
NFL/College timelines continue blow my mind.
— Tyler_FF_ (@Tyler_FF_) December 1, 2023
This is Jayden Daniels throwing a bomb to Brandon Aiyuk in 2019 while both were playing at Arizona State.
The current LSU QB and Heisman hopeful throwing to a WR who is currently in his 4th year of the NFL.pic.twitter.com/MLGb6lzyG0
In their lone year together, Aiyuk caught 65 balls for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns from Daniels as the Sun Devils went 8-5.
But, their chemistry was clear. So, why not pair the two back together?
Former ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels on playing with guys like Rachaad White, Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall at Arizona State.
— Anthony Totri (@Anthony_Totri) May 8, 2024
"We should've been Rose Bowl champions, Pac-12 championships, we had the talent." pic.twitter.com/cOxwvdhHAV
Now, let’s look at the team as a whole. Outside of Terry McLaurin, there’s not an established, dependable weapon that can be trusted at the moment. Yes, they drafted Luke McCaffrey and have holdovers in Jahan Dotson and Dyami Brown on the roster. But, adding Aiyuk would do wonders.
Look at last season. 2023 was his first full year as the WR1 for the 49ers, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. But, he’s an all-around guy, willing to do the dirty work and does it well.
Find someone who blocks for you like Brandon Aiyuk blocked for Deebo Samuel on this touchdown 🙂↔️ pic.twitter.com/goX2l2wdCX
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) June 15, 2024
Steelers are just getting ROUGHED up out here.
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) September 10, 2023
Watch Brandon Aiyuk's block on the sideline. 🤌🤌🤌 pic.twitter.com/b5Rt2S2Pqd
What a blocker.
The point is: Aiyuk may not be a talented wideout like Justin Jefferson. But, he has superstar potential. Aiyuk is WR1 material and nothing less. Whether it’s catching the football or providing solid blocking, he deserves and has earned the right to ask for big money.
The Commanders would give him that money. According to Spotrac, they have over $36 million in cap space.
Of course, a trade would need to take place. After all, Aiyuk is under contract for 2024. An example of a trade package could look like this
Terry McLaurin x Jahan Dotson x BRANDON AIYUK 🤯
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) June 17, 2024
Jayden Daniels and Aiyuk played together in college, should the Commanders and 49ers make this trade to reunite them? 🤔#RaiseHail | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/tAv2A19s5d
In my opinion, it’s an even trade. Especially considering the 49ers already have replacements for Aiyuk in rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing along with holdovers Jauan Jennings and Ronnie Bell. Adding Dyami Brown would be intriguing, as the former third-rounder out of North Carolina was once seen as a physically imposing prospect Washington had high hopes for.
However, it hasn’t worked out. But, a new home in San Francisco could help him find his true potential.
As for Aiyuk, pairing up with his former teammate in Daniels and forming a 1-2 duo with Terry McLaurin makes the Commanders’ offense much more intimidating. The rookie signal-caller would have a solid offensive core to throw to, and the transition from college to the pros would be much smoother.
Trading for Aiyuk and giving him the contract he deserves is something Washington can do in a heartbeat.
It’s Time To Send Him Away
We all understand the 49ers want to keep him. But, if they can’t reach a deal with Aiyuk, trading him away would be the best solution for both sides.
The wideout has proven he is one of the best wide receivers in the league. He is smart, dependable, and a hard worker. There are teams, including the Commanders, who will pay him what he wants for his talents.
Yes, he may not deserve Justin Jefferson money. We’ve mentioned that multiple times throughout this piece. But, if he isn’t getting offered somewhere around the $30 million range, then the team needs to move on and get value for him.
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Featured Image: John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images
