Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport recently proposed trade packages for NFL players who could benefit from a fresh start, and two of the scenarios involve the San Francisco 49ers.
The most notable centers on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, whose relationship with the organization appears beyond repair. Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension before the 2024 season but appeared in only seven games before suffering torn ACL and MCL injuries.
The situation reportedly deteriorated during his rehab process. Frustrated with the organization, Aiyuk cut off communication with the 49ers, prompting the team to place him on the reserve/left squad list and officially ending any chance of a return in 2025.
Davenport proposed a trade between the 49ers and the Washington Commanders, a team often linked to Aiyuk. In the scenario, San Francisco would send Aiyuk and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to Washington in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round selection.
At first glance, the compensation may seem underwhelming. However, the 49ers appear motivated to move on, and Aiyuk's market value has taken a significant hit due to both his injury history and contract situation.
Any interested team knows San Francisco will eventually be forced to release the receiver to avoid paying a looming option bonus, which weakens the team's leverage in negotiations.
Additionally, there are understandable concerns about a receiver returning from a major knee injury and a lengthy absence from play.
"Aiyuk missed 10 games in 2024 with a torn ACL," Davenport wrote. "Spent the 2025 season recuperating from that injury. And spent 2026 away from the Niners after his relationship with the team disintegrated. Aiyuk also carries a cap hit of $13.7 million in 2026 and $41.4 million in 2027."
Still, a trade could make sense for both sides if Aiyuk is willing to restructure his contract with a new team.
Davenport also floated another intriguing idea involving the 49ers acquiring edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick.
San Francisco's pass rush struggled after ACL injuries sidelined both Nick Bosa and last year's first-round pick, Mykel Williams. This is also far from the first time the 49ers have been linked to Thibodeaux.
While the former first-round pick has totaled just eight sacks over the past two seasons, he posted 11.5 sacks in 2023, the last time he played a full 17 games.
"The San Francisco 49ers are a Super Bowl contender with a pair of edge-rushers returning from ACL tears in Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams," Davenport wrote. "If either experiences a setback this summer, that second-round pick might become a lot more palatable for a team in win-now mode playing in arguably the toughest division in the NFL."
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