The NFL off-season has just begun two days ago after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime, and the Arizona Cardinals could target a star who has been trending on social media today.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking to San Francisco and national media after the defeat, 49ers and former ASU wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was uncertain about whether he’ll sign a contract extension.
When asked by CBS Sports Bay Area anchor/reporter Matt Lively on if he wanted to stay with the 49ers, Aiyuk said “If that’s the right move.”
After some of the messages put out on social media, I asked #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk if he had a message he wanted to put out and if he wants to remain with the team. #FTTB | @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/tE8IgynW20
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) February 13, 2024
Aiyuk’s Situation
Aiyuk becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025, but is eligible to work out an extension in the off-season.
If talks between San Francisco’s brass and the 25-year-old go south, the team could elect to franchise tag him.
Going into 2024 if he remains a 49er, Aiyuk will earn $14,124,000 in the final year of his five-year rookie deal.
Off of a career year in 2023, he had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Say that Aiyuk does not put pen to paper, teams will call from around the league about the possibility of working out a trade.
One of those squads who are in major need of a wide receiver is the Cardinals.
Michael Wilson, Zach Pascal, Rondale Moore, Daniel Arias, Kaden Davis, Andre Baccellia and Jeff Smith are all of the Cardinals’ receivers who are signed for next season. Marquise Brown and Greg Dortch may depart from Arizona as they are free agents.
It remains to be seen if 49ers general manager John Lynch will even entertain the possibility of trading Aiyuk, so it is be a wait-and-see game until a resolution is found.
Lynch will most likely demand a haul for one of the 49ers’ biggest stars if he has any interest. A draft pick(s) and players would have to be in a potential blockbuster package.
Stay tuned to Burn City Sports to keep you up-to-date on this situation’s development.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Arizona Coyotes, Cardinals and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
