The San Francisco 49ers wide receiving room will look much different this upcoming season after the 49ers traded away star wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
San Francisco could also send receiver Brandon Aiyuk packing a season after signing him to a long-term extension. After requesting a trade last offseason, Aiyuk agreed to a four-year $120 million deal with the 49ers.
Aiyuk was looking for a long-term deal, and San Francisco wasn’t willing to offer him a contract until late in training camp. The 26-year-old wide receiver’s first year under his new deal was one to forget because in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he tore his ACL, MCL, and other ligaments in his knee, which ended his season.
Now, Aiyuk may have played his last game in the Bay Area. Jared Mueller from Dawgs By Nature has proposed a trade that would send Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns.
“Berry tried to trade wide receiver Amari Cooper and an early pick for Aiyuk last year. Since then, the San Francisco 49ers grew weary of Aiyuk’s antics but still signed him to a big deal. Aiyuk tore his ACL after seven games and, reportedly, his signing will lead to big changes in how the Niners do business,” Mueller wrote. “‘Buyer’s remorse’ could lead to a trade, as could Aiyuk’s contract. On or before April 4th, San Francisco has to either pick up a $4 million option AND all of his 2026 contract or move on from the speedy receiver. The Browns could step in with a trade (CB Greg Newsome plus Day 3 picks may have been discussed already) and then redo Aiyuk’s deal in a way to help the team and player overall.”
The Browns could use another wide receiver to pair with Jerry Jeudy. But the 49ers losing their two best wide receivers this offseason wouldn’t be good news for quarterback Brock Purdy, who is looking for a contract extension.