Before the Cleveland Browns 2024 season imploded upon itself, there were high hopes that the Browns could build on their 2023 playoff run and that QB Deshaun Watson would return from injury with his skill level back to a high level.
We all know how it ended.
During last offseason, the primary story around the Browns was all of the WR Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors. The San Francisco 49ers ended up signing Aiyuk to a new deal but had also agreed to trade parameters with, according to a report, the New England Patriots and the Browns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were also reportedly interested.
This offseason, we projected five moves that Cleveland could make relatively quickly, but a few of them required trades, including acquiring Aiyuk. In that piece, it is noted that the two teams have had some discussions this offseason about a trade, but Aiyuk’s contract has a deadline that was important:
“Buyers remorse” could lead to a trade, as could Aiyuk’s contract. On or before April 4th, San Francisco has to either pick up a $4 million option AND all of his 2026 contract or move on from the speedy receiver. The Browns could step in with a trade (CB Greg Newsome plus Day 3 picks may have been discussed already) and then redo Aiyuk’s deal in a way to help the team and player overall.
Aiyuk could be very helpful to whoever is playing quarterback for the Browns next year.
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Aiyuk is available but unlikely to be traded:
Aiyuk up for grabs
Sources indicate that the 49ers are open to trading Aiyuk — a terrific player who will certainly be motivated — and there has been communication with several teams. However, trading for Aiyuk’s contract coming off an ACL injury is a tall order, and most believe it is unlikely.
“It would be a pretty big surprise for me,” a personnel director said.
What Schultz does not address is whether the Niners would actually be willing to pick up the $23 million option in early April or if they would release the talented but currently recovering from a major injury receiver.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, Aiyuk would have to be willing to work with the team to make a trade more palatable. Otherwise, he is either getting the significant amount of money from San Francisco or he will be free to sign anywhere he wants as a free agent. The Browns could afford to trade for Aiyuk, but that could tie up more salary cap space for a team that may need a large chunk in order to trade for QB Kirk Cousins.
The Steelers (DK Metcalf) and Patriots (Stefon Diggs) have both added top-end wide receivers this offseason, which means the Niners may not have much of a trade market for their top receiver.
Aiyuk, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, had two straight seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving, leading to his big contract last offseason. Last year was cut short by an ACL injury after seven games. Aiyuk just turned 27 in the middle of March.
Do you think the Browns should try to trade for Aiyuk or hold on to assets and cap space for other things?
