The San Francisco 49ers rode running back Christian McCaffrey to the tune of 311 rushing attempts and 102 receptions. McCaffrey won the NFL‘s Comeback Player of the Year and was by far the most consistent player for the astonishingly injured Niners, who somehow managed to go 12-5 and upset the then-reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round.
On offense alone, quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight games with turf toe. Second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was also absent for eight games with a lingering knee injury, and, to top it off, All-Pro tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles in that Wild Card win over Philadelphia. Looming over all of it was the fact that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk ghosted the team after tearing his ACL and MCL in October 2024.
So, the 49ers have a responsibility to make sure McCaffrey isn’t ridden into the ground again in 2026.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon has a potential solution.
On Friday, Gagnon identified six potential trade candidates, and among them was Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Gagnon acknowledged it would be “shocking” for the Steelers to move Metcalf just one year removed from executing a blockbuster trade to acquire him from Seattle, but he also listed the 49ers as a suitable landing spot if it ever were to happen.
Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million extension upon his trade to Pittsburgh last year. In his first year as a Steeler, the 28-year-old hauled in 59 receptions for 850 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games. Metcalf was the lone deep threat for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 42, who is still deciding on whether to play again next season.
“Word is that Rodgers is more likely than not to return for at least one more season,” Gagnon wrote as the one reason Metcalf wouldn’t be moved. “If that comes to fruition, the team has little choice but to give Metcalf another year as well. On top of that, the pre-June 1 trade salary-cap savings wouldn’t be substantial ($7 million).”
However, if Rodgers retires, moving Metcalf would aid the Steelers’ subsequent rebuild. Metcalf of otherwise, San Francisco will be active.
The 49ers have been linked to several wide receivers as we inch closer to free agency next week. After the 2026 NFL Combine last week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that San Francisco is “a sneaky contender for some of the good free agents along the defensive line and at wide receiver.” Fowler said Green Bay Packers impending unrestricted free agent Romeo Doubs as “considered a good fit for San Francisco’s offense and a potential option,” and the same goes for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor.
As previously alluded to, the 49ers will all but certainly release Aiyuk this offseason. In January, 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that “it’s safe to say he’s played his last snap with the Niners.” Less acrimoniously, the 49ers could also lose veteran wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. ESPN’s Matt Bowen listed Jennings at No. 29 in his rankings of the top 100 players expected to become available.