The prospect of replacing him with San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk prompted Denver Sports anchor Rachel Vigil to suggest a trade to editor James Merilatt:
The Broncos get:
— Brandon Aiyuk
49ers receive:
– Courtland Sutton, a 2025 second-round pick.
– 2026 second-round selection
Vigil questioned Merilatt if he would accept the proposition for the Super Bowl runner-up’s playmaker if he were Broncos general manager George Paton.
Merilatt was measured, stating that he “probably” would.
“Brandon Aiyuk’s a player,” Merilatt stated on the “Coffee Break” podcast on June 17. “He’s a difference maker, and this squad doesn’t have somebody on offence that is now making a difference. Now we can all say, “Hey, Jaleel McLaughlin might become one.” Marvin Mims might become one.’ Maybe. Maybe. But we understand who Brandon Aiyuk is.
“He is a household name in the NFL. When he first stepped into the facility, he was the top player on their offence and the second-best player overall. So, from that aspect, yes. Because I believe he is a substantially superior wide receiver than Courtland Sutton.
Aiyuk had a career year in 2023, totaling 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He is likely to exercise his $14.1 million fifth-year option.
This is his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He scored a career-high eight touchdowns in 2022.
An insider downplays Brandon Aiyuk trade rumours.
Aiyuk fueled trade speculation by sharing a TikTok video of himself telling Washington Commanders quarterback Jaden Daniels that the 49ers “don’t want” him back, which elicited a giggle from the rookie passer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided a robust response to Aiyuk’s assertions.
Shefter did, however, indicate that Aiyuk’s comments could be about the 49ers’ contract offer.
Vigil and Merilatt stated that the cost of acquiring and paying Aiyuk made the transaction appear implausible.
“There’s a lot of noise out there (most of it uninformed) about the San Francisco 49ers’ position on receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and the possibility that things are devolving to the point where the second-team All-Pro could be traded,” Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote on June 18.
“I would not listen to that. “Not yet, at least.”
Breer cited NBC Sports’ Mike Silver, who reported that the 49ers had made an initial offer to Aiyuk’s side.
“I’m hearing maybe their offer is in the $26 million range, which certainly is not Justin Jefferson money, nor should it be,” Silver stated when appearing on “Papa & Lund” on June 6th. “But it’s closer to that DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown, that next tier down.”
Silver stated that Aiyuk’s condition remains unresolved. This might present an opportunity for the Broncos.
Breer said the 49ers’ offer “isn’t quite good enough.” However, he stated that it accurately reflected their desire to keep him. He also questioned the possible amount owing during the first two years.
“The question from there would be what sort of tax Aiyuk is looking to land for waiting on Jefferson’s deal to get done,” Breer stated. “And that can be tricky—especially if he considers himself to be in that category after two Pro Bowl seasons and 75/1,342/7 last year. [Jaylen] Waddle’s composite for the last two years is similar to Aiyuk’s, for what it’s worth, and neither is in Jefferson’s statistical neighbourhood.”
Proposed Broncos trade acquires Deebo Samuel from the 49ers
If Aiyuk wants that kind of deal, the Broncos might be better off pursuing his veteran colleague. Silver described Aiyuk’s colleague Deebo Samuel’s season as a “farewell tour,” with the versatile 28-year-old receiver entering the second year of a three-year, $71.5 million contract.
This Heavy Sports trade suggestion may satisfy the Broncos and 49ers in the current situation.
The Broncos get:
Deebo Samuel
49ers receive:
– Courtland Sutton, a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Samuels is older and has suffered injuries that have caused him to lose more time than Aiyuk.
However, Samuel’s versatility would bring a new element to the Broncos’ wide receiver and running back rooms. Even if Sutton does not sign a new contract, he is expected to stay put.
Leave a Reply