3-Team Trade Proposal for Brandon Aiyuk Would Make 49ers Fans Chuckle.
In a recent article, Peter Panacy of FanSided discussed a Bleacher Report suggestion that proposed a provocative trade involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The idea, however, fails to address the logic behind why the 49ers would entertain such a move.
As offseason contract disputes linger between the 49ers and the disgruntled Aiyuk, speculation about a potential trade has been rampant. Despite a recent meeting to address the breakdown in contract negotiations, there is little progress towards a new deal. With training camp approaching, rumors of an Aiyuk trade continue, even though the 49ers show no interest in parting ways with him.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently proposed a three-team trade involving the 49ers, New England Patriots, and Atlanta Falcons. In the scenario, the 49ers would send Aiyuk to the Patriots, who are in dire need of receiving help. In return, San Francisco would receive a high-end first-round pick in 2025. Additionally, New England would trade edge rusher Matthew Judon to Atlanta, and the Falcons would send cornerback Mike Hughes and a 2025 third-round pick to the 49ers.
Knox argued that the trade would bolster Atlanta’s chances in the NFC South and provide the Patriots with a top-tier receiver to support rookie quarterback Drake Maye. With significant cap space, New England could afford to offer Aiyuk a long-term extension.
While the trade proposal appears reasonable on the surface, it doesn’t significantly advance the 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations for the upcoming season. Hughes wouldn’t substantially improve San Francisco’s secondary, which already includes Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, and Isaac Yiadom. The draft picks, valuable as they are, wouldn’t contribute until 2025, which is not helpful for a team aiming for a 2024 championship run.
Aiyuk is still under contract for the season, and the 49ers have the option to franchise tag him for the following two years. Consequently, the proposed trade is unlikely to happen. If the 49ers were interested in trading Aiyuk, it would have occurred long ago.