Despite rumors of a trade, Courtland Sutton wants to stay with the Denver Broncos.
However, he also expressed his desire for a new deal and that he might wait until training camp. Sean Keeler of The Denver Post pleaded with the Broncos to call his bluff. Trade rumors have been sparked by the uncertainty surrounding Sutton, who has two years remaining on his four-year, $60.8 million contract.
Denver Sports host Rachel Vigil proposed a trade to editor James Merilatt, citing the possibility of replacing him with San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Vigil asked Merilatt if he would accept that trade for the playmaker from the Super Bowl runner-up, if he were Broncos general manager Geroge Paton.
With measured tone, Merilatt stated that he “probably” would.
“Brandon Aiyuk is a player,” Merilatt declared on June 17 on the “Coffee Break” podcast. “He makes a difference, and this team doesn’t currently have an offensive difference maker.” We can all say, “Hey, Jaleel McLaughlin might become one,” at this point. Marvin Mims may become one. Perhaps. Perhaps. However, we are aware of Brandon Aiyuk.
“In the NFL, he is a household name. On the day he entered the building, he would be their offensive leader and the team’s second-best player. Thus, in that regard, sure. Because in my opinion, he is a far superior wide receiver than Courtland Sutton.
Aiyuk just had a career-best year in 2023, accumulating a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He will exercise his fifth-year option, which is worth $14.1 million.
He has now had two seasons with 1,000 yards or more. In 2022, he recorded a career-high eight touchdowns.
After releasing a TikTok video in which he mockingly told Washington Commanders quarterback Jaden Daniels that the 49ers “don’t want” him back, Aiyuk contributed to the rumors of a trade. Daniels laughed. Adam Schefter of ESPN provided a forceful refutation of Aiyuk’s assertions.
Shefter did, however, speculate that Aiyuk’s remarks might be in reference to the 49ers’ contract offer.
The cost of obtaining Aiyuk and paying him, according to Vigil and Merilatt, made the arrangement look improbable.
On June 18, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote, “There’s a lot of noise out there (most of it uninformed) about the San Francisco 49ers’ position on receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and the possibility that things are devolving to the point where the second-team All-Pro could be traded.”
“I’m not going to listen to that. Not at least not yet.
Breer cited a claim by Mike Silver of NBC Sports, who stated that the 49ers had at least extended a preliminary offer to Aiyuk’s camp.
On June 6, Silver remarked on “Papa & Lund,” “I’m hearing maybe their offer is in the $26 million range, which certainly is not Justin Jefferson money, nor should it be.” However, it’s more like to DeVonta Smith and Amon-Ra St. Brown, the next level below.
Aiyuk’s condition is still unclear, according to Silver. The Broncos may have an opportunity as a result.
The 49ers’ offer, according to Breer, “isn’t quite good enough.” However, he claimed it was a clear indication of their intention to keep him. He also expressed doubts about the possible amount of money owed for the first two years.
“What kind of tax Aiyuk is looking to land for waiting on Jefferson’s deal to get done would be the question from there,” Breer wrote. And it can get complicated, particularly if he believes he fits that description after two seasons at the Pro Bowl level and a 75/1,342/7 performance the previous year. [Jaylen] For what it’s worth, Waddle’s composite for the last two years is comparable to Aiyuk’s, although neither is in Jefferson’s statistical area.
If Aiyuk is looking for a deal of that caliber, the Broncos could be better to go for their seasoned colleague. As Aiyuk’s colleague Deebo Samuel, a dynamic 28-year-old receiver entering Year 2 of a three-year, $71.5 million contract, entered, Silver referred to Samuel’s season as a sort of “farewell tour.”
Given the current circumstances, the Broncos and 49ers might be satisfied with this Heavy Sports trade idea.
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