San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has finally started the requisite steps to return to the NFL, and he reportedly plans to show up to the team’s facility on Friday.
While the most likely outcome is he will be released, maybe the Niners will make a last-ditch effort to try to offload him to another team via trade.
It is not a likely outcome at all, especially since other teams have no real idea what sort of physical or mental state Aiyuk is in right now. Yet, it’s worth at least imagining what sort of desperate move general manager John Lynch could attempt to trade Aiyuk rather than having to release him.
Let's look at three teams who might be willing to work with Lynch.
3 teams who may bite on 49ers' desperate Brandon Aiyuk trade offer
Washington Commanders
We've known for a long time Aiyuk’s preferred destination has been the Washington Commanders. He’s clearly a big fan of the team, as evidenced by his social media activity, and he supposedly bought a house near the practice facility.
The Commanders are 2-4-1 on the season and technically are still alive in an NFC East division that remains up for grabs.
Why not take a shot on Aiyuk at this point in exchange for a seventh-round pick or something?
Obviously, the Commanders don’t want to be saddled with that contract, but if they could rework it somehow and give Aiyuk an audition, maybe it could work.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are in full sell mode right now ahead of the trade deadline. One interesting trade chip is wide receiver Keenan Allen, and instead of the Niners giving up a sixth-round pick to get him, they instead trade Aiyuk to Indy?
That way, Indianapolis could at least get a look at Aiyuk in a lost season and see if he’s got anything left, and they’re only parting with a veteran player who is wasting away on a bad team.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-7 on the season and are in desperate need of any sort of answer on offense. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat, so why not bring Aiyuk into the fold to try and bring about any sort of life?
Again, none of these deals are likely, as the baggage surrounding Aiyuk and his contract make him nearly un-tradeable.
But, one can imagine Lynch will still make at least a few calls ahead of Friday to see if there is any interest at all in Aiyuk.
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