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The saga surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk felt endless throughout last season.
After Week 7 of the 2024 campaign, Aiyuk never suited up again for the San Francisco 49ers, suffering a devastating right-knee injury that tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus — a brutal setback that abruptly halted his season.
As the wide receiver worked his way through rehab during the following offseason, the writing quickly appeared on the wall. What once looked like a long-term partnership began to fracture, and it became increasingly clear that the 27-year-old playmaker and the franchise were heading toward an inevitable split.
That reality was finally confirmed during the team’s end-of-season press conference, when general manager John Lynch addressed the media and stated what many around the league had already anticipated: the 49ers were preparing to move on from Aiyuk, bringing a turbulent chapter in San Francisco to a close.
Brandon Aiyuk Could be One of the Best Options Available
With his future in San Francisco uncertain, Aiyuk could become one of the most intriguing options available this offseason amid an otherwise underwhelming free-agent wide receiver group. Despite lingering injury concerns, the sixth-year veteran remains in his prime and has steadily increased his production through his first four healthy seasons.
Bleacher Report identified the New Orleans Saints as the ideal landing spot for the 27-year-old receiver. The Saints are focused on building the strongest possible supporting cast around quarterback Tyler Shough, and adding Aiyuk alongside Chris Olave would immediately strengthen the receiving corps.
Draft capital could be the asking price, with the 49ers poised for a franchise-shaping offseason in their quest to keep the Super Bowl window from closing. The core veterans now look closer to the finish line than their prime years.
It’s All a Matter of Price
According to ESPN, this offseason is all about bold, franchise-shifting moves for the 49ers. Big swings at premium positions are mandatory to keep the championship window open. And the offseason needs in San Francisco 49ers territory are impossible to ignore.
With Aiyuk probably leaving the Bay Area and Jauan Jennings, who still hasn’t put pen to paper, the wide receiver room sits at the very top of the emergency list.
A potential trade sending Aiyuk to New Orleans in exchange for draft picks could give the 49ers the ammunition needed to target a wide receiver early in the draft and to focus on other positions at a later time.
His knee injury and lingering tensions with the 49ers over his contract have diminished Aiyuk’s perceived value around the league, leaving certain teams cautious about making a move. New Orleans, historically, hasn’t been one to hesitate in scenarios like these.
Bleacher Report projects a potential return of a 2026 sixth-round pick (No. 189) plus a conditional 2027 Day 3 selection, dependent on playing time and performance metrics.
It’s a calculated gamble. The draft cost is reasonable, but the Saints would still absorb Aiyuk’s contract. If health holds, however, the payoff could be huge — potentially creating one of the league’s most dynamic receiving duos.
Fabienne Lampe Fabienne Lampe is a German sports journalist, covering the NFL, College Football, NBA, and Formula 1 for Heavy Sports. Lampe has years of experience covering the NFL, especially the Atlanta Falcons as their sole German reporter. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in the NFL, including Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Lampe also hosts a Formula 1 podcast and works as a play-by-play announcer. More about Fabienne Lampe
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