The Brandon Aiyuk Limbo
This is, to some degree, an attempt to jinx myself as I so often have by making a joke that is immediately outdated by a last-second news drop. I mean just two days ago I made a joke about how JJ McCarthy was done for 6-8 weeks only for that morning it to be revealed that he’s out for the year and also Jordan Addison got hurt too. Hopefully, by the time you read this the 49ers will have done something. Chances are unfortunately low.
The 9ers appear to be in a bit of a cap bind that is going to force a problem soon, if not right now. They paid McCaffrey. They paid Deebo. They paid Trent Williams. They paid Kittle. They paid Bosa. Purdy is on the horizon at this rate to get a high contract. Deebo is likely due another one soon too. A lot of people are speculating that the 49ers can’t keep both Deebo and Aiyuk, so the question is do you let Aiyuk walk now or sign Aiyuk and let Deebo walk next year.
The 49ers have not made up their mind either way. For months now we’ve been stuck in this will they/wont they limbo on an Aiyuk trade. He’s been mocked in trades to almost every team at some point. The Steelers seem like the hot candidate now. Everyone’s time is being wasted. 49ers fans especially are begging for release from this tension, no matter how it ends. I honestly kind of remember the feeling. Back in the halcyon days of Odell Beckham trade rumors. Then we finally paid the man and all that tension was released. Then Gettleman traded him anyway not long afterward. Fuck that man was bad at his job. Just saying 49ers fans, even if you do pay him, shit could still go sideways.
I would personally pay him and then do what you can to try and keep Deebo in the future. Deebo is the better player but he’s also less reliable health-wise. If Deebo goes down and Aiyuk isn’t there the offense takes a big hit. If Deebo leaves but you keep Aiyuk you still have the big deep threat and McCaffrey probably plays more of a Deebo role. Deebo is slightly older too. The biggest hurdle might be whatever Aiyuk is asking for. It’s probably too much but he’s got leverage.
I just wish the 49ers would do something so we can stop the Aiyuk watch. It is very tiring. We’ve run out of shit to say, we need progress.
I think other teams know that the 9ers have no leverage and they’re trying to lowball them and the 9ers just won’t accept they won’t get some amazing deal that solves all their problems and gets them a hundred draft picks so they keep waiting for some incompetent team to be rebuilding who think they have to get a huge piece and overpay for Aiyuk.
They did get the amazing deal, but the team who trades for Aiyuk also needs to sign him to a long term deal and if he refuses they won’t. The Browns and Patriots were willing to meet the 9ers demands but he refused to play for them
Yeah I feel Dave didn’t proper research this and was eager to blame the 49ers management.
The 49ers have as much leverage as any team can have at this point; Aiyuk is under contract for 2024 with no dead money. His only leverage is “holding in” (show up and not play). It’s not really that bad for them if nothing happens but BA still plays like he is contracted to.
As a Steelers fan who was initially excited at the idea of getting Aiyuk, I’m at the point where I’d just be happy trading for Sutton or Cooks.
I mean they had a deal in place to trade Aiyuk but he refused to sign an extension there. Its on Aiyuk as much if not more than it is on the 49ers
Apparently, Jordan Addison is fine, but he still has the DUI charge to deal with so he’ll be missing time regardless. On a related note, Dave should plan to enjoy his Week 1 win.
Is some of the Aiyuk dilemma also akin to the Purdy dilemma? Aiyuk has been good, not great, but getting incrementally better through last year. But is he a product of his environment? He’s talented, no doubt, but it’s also a lot easier to produce when you have All-World CMC, All-World LT Trent, All-World Kittle, and All-World Deebo as a supporting cast. So…you probably want to keep him to keep the band together, but is he worth Ceedee-type numbers? Probably not after 1 year as a fringe top-10 guy. Waddle numbers? I’m not sure, but I’d try to sell him if I could and get a little draft capital and cap space for a potential trade at the deadline.
Dear Mr. Aiyuk,
Firstly, thank you for being a serviceable WR3 for several years on my fantasy team. I personally nicknamed you “streetfighter” because your surname sounds like something Ken, Ryu, or others might say on the arcade machine in my hometown Pizza Hut. The reason I am writing you is that I think you could benefit from some Florida sunshine. You are cordially invited to Jacksonville where you could be the WR1 and complete a trio of potent receivers. Consider how good you will look in teal & gold throwbacks as Trevor Lawrence sends one over the top to you on a go route. Should you sign a long enough term you will be among the first to play in the new state-of-the-art stadium that Shad built. If these reasons weren’t good enough you should know that the Jaguars are 9th in salary cap room and Florida does not levy an income tax. $Ka-ching$! I look forward to seeing you in Duvall soon.
Sincerely, Big Teal Cat AKA That Jagsfan who comments
P.S. Do you enjoy travel abroad? How about London?
PLEASE JUST LET US HAVE HIM
“I want Justin Jefferson money.”
“Oh, so you have the same stats as him?”
“No. And I’m injured way more than him too.”
“Huh.”
Deebo is not the better player. He’s the ultimate gadget, but hardly a special run blocker or press-man savant like Aiyuk.