The Cleveland Browns finished the season 5-12 after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in their season finale, which probably means they won’t landing a quarterback in the NFL Draft.
Ergo, Shedeur Sanders will likely be back under center for the Browns in 2026, so Cleveland will need to get to work bringing in some new weapons for the youngster.
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ESPN’s Ben Solak expects the Browns to strike big in that regard this offseason and is predicting them to land disgruntled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
“The Browns will bring in 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, as they continue their tradition of signing receivers on low-cost contracts in the hopes of hitting it big,” Solak wrote. “Aiyuk’s days in San Francisco are likely over; the Browns can offer him more money and opportunity compared to any other team in the NFL”
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers heading into the 2024 campaign, but tore his ACL last October. He was supposed to return in 2025, but disagreements between Aiyuk and the San Francisco organization resulted in the star pass-catcher not playing in a single game.
As a result, the Niners are expected to part ways with Aiyuk in the coming months, whether that comes via trade by outright releasing him.
Aiyuk was originally selected by the 49ers with the 25th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft and proceeded to post back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2022 and 2023, topping out at 1,342 yards in the latter season.
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When healthy, there is no doubt the 27-year-old is a top option, so the Browns would certainly be fortunate to add a player of his caliber. Assuming he is healthy, of course.
Cleveland desperately needs help in its receiving corps, so acquiring Aiyuk would definitely represent a major boon for Sanders and the offense.
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