Brandon Aiyuk saga reminiscent of another massive trade in 49ers history
The San Francisco 49ers appear to be on the verge of trading wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
A report from NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco indicates the 49ers have worked out the framework of trades with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Since agreement on contract terms would be required to complete the deal, it's now up to Aiyuk how this all plays out.
This saga shaking out this way makes it hard not to harken back to the DeForest Buckner trade before the 2020 season.
It isn't an apples-to-apples comparison given the timing, but it's close enough.
The 49ers dealt Buckner because his asking price was more than they were willing to pay a defensive tackle. With the money they saved, they retained Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward. Those are two good players to keep around, but they've had trouble finding a replacement for Buckner since his exit.
Now the 49ers are on the cusp of trading Aiyuk because his asking price is more than they're wanting to pay for a wide receiver. Quarterback Brock Purdy has a sizable deal coming next offseason. Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are also set to become free agents in March. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga are both in the final year of their deals. Not to mention left tackle Trent Williams, who is currently holding out for a new deal that'll likely make him the NFL's highest-paid left tackle.
San Francisco is once again operating under the assumption they'll be better off long-term by moving a star player if it gives them the flexibility to retain other talented players.
The logic tracks. The execution is tougher.
The 49ers have had success since 2020. They face planted in that season, but since then have been to three NFC championships and a Super Bowl. They've not been able to replace Buckner, though. It's part of why they gave Javon Hargrave a four-year, $84 million deal last offseason, and then let Buckner's replacement, Javon Kinlaw, walk this offseason.
They might have trouble doing the same with Aiyuk. He is a pretty unique receiver in the way he's able to get open in all three levels of the field. He also has a terrific rapport with Purdy, who figures to be the team's franchise signal caller.
Moving off Aiyuk may leave San Francisco in a spot where they're consistently aiming to find new WR talent. They may have players who can adequately play the position, but finding one who can make defenses have to cover so many areas of the field won't be easy.
So far, the 49ers have been able to survive the Buckner trade despite their struggles to replace him. They got away with it once. Trying to do it again could be the move that ultimately shuts San Francisco's long-term Super Bowl window.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Brandon Aiyuk saga reminiscent of another massive trade in 49ers history
