7 NFL Teams Brandon Aiyuk Should Reconsider amid 49ers Trade, Contract Rumors

For now, Brandon Aiyuk remains a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

And if or when that changes, there's a good chance the 26-year-old standout wide receiver will become a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That's based on a report Tuesday from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who tweeted that the Steelers and 49ers have a deal in place that would get completed if the 49ers give the sign-off.

However, Rapoport added that San Francisco is still trying to sign the 1,300-yard wideout to a new deal.

Regardless, we've learned by now not to count any chickens before they hatch with regard to this ongoing story. It's entirely possible Aiyuk will land elsewhere in 2024.

Here are seven potential destinations that still make plenty of sense for all involved.

Salary-cap information via Spotrac

Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 10: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

There's a void in Buffalo now that Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are gone, and it's possible the Bills will decide they need younger reinforcements for Josh Allen.

If that's the case, Aiyuk would be silly not to consider joining a contender like Buffalo.

He'd immediately become the No. 1 receiving option for a perennial MVP candidate who has been the most valuable player in the NFL since the start of 2021 based on the Approximate Value metric at Pro Football Reference.

The Bills are low on salary-cap space, but a long-term deal would give the team flexibility to pay Aiyuk now and in the future. And it's entirely possible he'd put the team over the top.

Detroit Lions

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ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN - JUNE 05: Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions throws a pass during mandatory minicamp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters and Training Facility on June 05, 2024 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Speaking of putting a team over the top, you also have to wonder if Aiyuk could be the final ingredient in Detroit.

Sure, the Lions already have Amon-Ra St. Brown, who brings a lot of similar features to the table and is already quite expensive. But this is a rare moment in which the championship window is open in Detroit, and there's plenty of room within that offense for both star receivers to get significant work.

Plus, there isn't a lot else solidified in the Lions' receiving corps, and the organization actually has plenty of cap wiggle room to make this happen.

Green Bay Packers

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Elsewhere in the competitive NFC North, the Packers have a slew of intriguing young receivers but nobody who has proved himself to even remotely the same degree as Aiyuk.

Rather than putting the Lions over the top, Aiyuk could be the ideal final puzzle piece for Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love in what is a critical season for both team and quarterback.

Unlike the Lions, the Packers can offer Aiyuk the obvious top role in the offense. And unlike the Bills, they can offer him a decent amount of cash upfront due to a superior cap situation.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 10: Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during warmups before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There's a damn good chance Trevor Lawrence breaks out under the tutelage of Doug Pederson in his age-25 season. And with Calvin Ridley off the Jaguars roster, there's a potential opening for an established wideout like Aiyuk to bully out the unproven Brian Thomas Jr. and the less talented Gabe Davis to become the 2021 No. 1 overall pick's top weapon.

Jacksonville is reaching a potential point of desperation now that Lawrence is getting big bucks, and the franchise does have money to spend with a top-10 ranking in terms of cap space.

With that in mind, Aiyuk to a Jags team that could break out and contend makes a lot of sense.

Kansas City Chiefs

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Already this summer, the Chiefs have seen Hollywood Brown, Justin Watson and first-round pick Xavier Worthy go down with injuries. And keep in mind that Patrick Mahomes' receiving corps wasn't exactly a major asset to begin with following a turbulent 2023 campaign for that unit.

That leaves plenty of space for a guy like Aiyuk to emerge as a go-to option for the greatest quarterback in the game today as part of a team that is seeking to make history with a third straight Super Bowl win.

It's pretty hard to see a downside associated with joining Mahomes, Andy Reid and Co. right now, especially at that position. Kansas City isn't exactly flush with cash, but the team does have some cap flexibilit,y and a marriage with the Chiefs offense might be worth a short-term financial sacrifice if you're Aiyuk.

Los Angeles Chargers

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers talk before a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

This one might be farther from the beaten path because the Chargers aren't widely considered a contender following a 12-loss 2023 campaign, but we know both Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh are better than that.

And more importantly if you're Aiyuk, there's nobody stopping you from becoming the featured weapon in an offense that no longer has Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Austin Ekeler.

It could be fun for Aiyuk to remain in California and be a part of something exciting from scratch, with Harbaugh's hands on the offense and Herbert possessing the ability to perform at superstar levels when healthy and supported.

Washington Commanders

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ASHBURN, VA - MAY 10: Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury of the Washington Commanders instructs Jayden Daniels #5 during Washington Commanders Rookie Minicamp at OrthoVirginia Training Center on May 10, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

A popular rumor-mill destination for Aiyuk, Washington makes sense because the squad has an intriguing offensive future with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels teaming up with highly-regarded new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Only three teams have more salary-cap space than the Commanders, so they can certainly afford to throw a bunch of money at Aiyuk, who would also likely supplant Terry McLaurin as the top option in that offense.

As with the Chargers, you've gotta have some patience here. But the ingredients are there and the money could be right. It's worth consideration.