Going into the NFL offseason, it was believed by many that the Green Bay Packers would be in the market for a top-tier wide receiver. Even Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs was advocating for the addition of a veteran pass catcher who could help elevate the games of the younger players already on the roster. And, of course, many viewed the wide receiver position as one of need following Christian Watson‘s torn ACL in Week 18.
Despite several bonified number one wide receivers being made available in free agency or via trade, the Packers did not land any of them. Davante Adams, whom many fans wanted to see come back to Green Bay, instead signed with the Los Angeles Rams. DK Metcalf, another popular name among fans, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And while former Rams wideout Cooper Kupp remains available after being released, the Packers still have not made any moves on the wide receiver front.
NFL Analyst Urges the Green Bay Packers to Trade for San Francisco 49ers Star Brandon Aiyuk
The problem now, of course, is that the best and easiest attainable wide receivers are all off the market now. However, one name that is gaining steam as a potential trade target is that of San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a $120 million contract last season after a weeks-long holdout that nearly saw him traded.
According to Grant Cohn, who covers the 49ers for Sports Illustrated, “it sounds like the 49ers want to trade Aiyuk. If only they had been bold enough to do so last year, they could have gotten a first-round pick in return. Now that he has torn his ACL and MCL, they’ll be lucky to get a third-round pick for him.”
As Cohn notes, Aiyuk is coming off of a torn ACL of his own, which he suffered halfway through the 2024 NFL season. In seven games last year, he caught 25 passes for 374 yards.
Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report believes that the Packers owe it to themselves to add the former Second Team All-Pro:
“Aiyuk, in particular, is an interesting option in that he entered 2024 coming off of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and had it not been for a torn MCL and ACL that ended his season, probably would have replicated that success.
“The leading receiver for the Niners had a tumultuous last offseason with San Francisco and at one point, appeared to be headed to Washington via trade before the two sides got a deal done late in training camp.
“If the organization does regret the extension and is willing to get rid of Aiyuk for reasonable compensation, the Packers owe it to themselves and their fans to explore a potential deal and see if the price is right.”
As he is coming off of a torn ACL (and MCL), the price for Aiyuk will not be high. His $30 million a year salary also should drive his price down.
Regardless of what San Francisco is will to accept, Green Bay would have to decide if they want to pay a wide receiver coming off of a serious knee injury $30 million a year.
Somehow, that does not seem like a move they would make.
