NFC West Lookaround: Have Rams seen the last of Brandon Aiyuk in SF?

Aiyuk is a potential trade candidate heading into Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams are seemingly in good shape heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. While everything appears to be all hunky-dory in Hollywood, there has been some unrest or uncertainty at the wide receiver position leading up to the draft. Bengals’ wideout Tee Higgins has requested a trade out of Cincinnati, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Could the Rams see a top divisional playmaker follow suit and get moved on Day 1?

Trade rumors have hovered over 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk for most of this offseason. The Steelers and Jaguars have been the two teams linked to him the most. San Francisco insists that Aiyuk is part of their long-term plans, yet there’s no way they’ll turn down an offer they can’t refuse.

Quite simply, I believe the 49ers extended the wrong wide receiver and they’re going to be paying for it (or not).

Deebo Samuel signed a three-year, $71.5 million extension in July 2022 after a season in which he exploded with 1,405 receiving yards and eight rushing scores, earning First-team All-Pro honors for his efforts. The South Carolina product and number one Eagles fan has failed to match his 2021 production since. He has one lone 1,000-yard campaign in his career.

Aiyuk on the other hand has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has averaged at least 700 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his four seasons. Simply put, Aiyuk is the far more reliable and consistent target while Deebo continues to be one of the most overrated players in the NFL. The only All-Pro caliber production he’s put together since ‘21 has been his trash talk. Samuel sadly does not appear to be on his way out of the NFC West.

Instead, Aiyuk could be the odd man out — something all Rams fans would undoubtably be happy about. The 2020 first-rounder is reportedly seeking an average annual salary over $25 million from the Niners. Amon-Ra St. Brown re-signing with the Lions on Wednesday has certainly complicated matters on San Francisco’s end.

St. Brown will receive an average annual salary of $30 million from Detroit over the next four years. It can’t be a great feeling for Aiyuk as he has to wait for a contract extension while a player drafted a year after him earned a monster payday. If things continue to escalate in the Bay Area, the 49ers might be forced to back down from their lofty asking price.

Aw, poor Whiners. First you lose a heartbreaker of a Super Bowl and then you might lose one of your top playmakers. It’s so sad I forgot to cry.

The first round of the draft is likely to be insane so it wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers traded away Aiyuk. He can go to the AFC for all I care. Just get him as far away from the Rams as humanly possible.

Assuming there is some truth to the rumors floating around, LA might have seen the last of Brandon Aiyuk in a 49ers uniform. Although I also wonder whether it’s too late for the Niners’ front office to back out of their promise to Deebo. Now that is a dream scenario.

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images