Brandon Aiyuk again?

[Sciz]

There is an interesting angle where, if teams just wait, the 49ers could theoretically end up just cutting Aiyuk in order to avoid triggering his option bonus guarantees on April 1st. They'd take on an extra $7-8M in dead money in 2025, but would save themselves around $50M in future money. So I am sure they are a bit desperate to find a trade partner right now, as that gets them some trade capital instead of just dumping the guy. I didn't really think about it like this before, but since their feet are to the fire here, that might lower his price even further.

Edit: As the trading team, you could also immediately renegotiate his deal and convert those two option bonuses into one lump-sum signing bonus of $50M, which spreads the bonus hits evenly across the remaining 6 years of the deal (including the 2 void years). It makes Aiyuk happy as he gets his money faster, and it also lowers his cap hits in 2027 onwards while slightly raising his cap hits in 2025 and 2026. Your dead money is about the same if you decide to move on in 2027, but if you decide to keep him, his cap hit with his existing salary in 2027 and 2028 would be in the $35M range, which would be pretty reasonable for a WR1 at that point.

I think it’s all moot because of the ACL. Everything that becomes fully guaranteed on April 1 is already guaranteed for injury, and he’s currently injured and will remain injured for many months.

At two years, $50Mish guaranteed, I’m tempted to put his trade value at basically zero or maybe a hair negative. The completely untrustworthy Twitter rumors have the 49ers paying part of his 2025 salary/bonus in order to salvage a pick, which makes sense to me in the off chance that it’s not completely made up.

 

[Ross12]

I think it’s all moot because of the ACL. Everything that becomes fully guaranteed on April 1 is already guaranteed for injury, and he’s currently injured and will remain injured for many months.

At two years, $50Mish guaranteed, I’m tempted to put his trade value at basically zero or maybe a hair negative. The completely untrustworthy Twitter rumors have the 49ers paying part of his 2025 salary/bonus in order to salvage a pick, which makes sense to me in the off chance that it’s not completely made up.

That's a good point too.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

There is an interesting angle where, if teams just wait, the 49ers could theoretically end up just cutting Aiyuk in order to avoid triggering his option bonus guarantees on April 1st. They'd take on an extra $7-8M in dead money in 2025, but would save themselves around $50M in future money. So I am sure they are a bit desperate to find a trade partner right now, as that gets them some trade capital instead of just dumping the guy. I didn't really think about it like this before, but since their feet are to the fire here, that might lower his price even further.

Edit: As the trading team, you could also immediately renegotiate his deal and convert those two option bonuses into one lump-sum signing bonus of $50M, which spreads the bonus hits evenly across the remaining 6 years of the deal (including the 2 void years). It makes Aiyuk happy as he gets his money faster, and it also lowers his cap hits in 2027 onwards while slightly raising his cap hits in 2025 and 2026. Your dead money is about the same if you decide to move on in 2027, but if you decide to keep him, his cap hit with his existing salary in 2027 and 2028 would be in the $35M range, which would be pretty reasonable for a WR1 at that point.

He won't be a #1 THIS YEAR IMO, so how much is he REALLY worth?

 

[Steve102]

Me...me...me Brandon Aiyuk.

Ai-yuck over DK?

 

[Toofy]

If49ers eat 15 million $ of his salary maybe a 3rd, else we are looking at 5th round pick since there is a possibility aiyuk would miss games to start off with.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Prior to the injury Aiyuk has having a terrible season, terrible for him terribly mediocre for any average player across the league, Honestly if it’s a throwaway pick and it’s just about money then roll the dice. He’s a 26 year old WR who was as good as anybody the previous season

 

[VJCPatriot]

I think it’s all moot because of the ACL. Everything that becomes fully guaranteed on April 1 is already guaranteed for injury, and he’s currently injured and will remain injured for many months.

At two years, $50Mish guaranteed, I’m tempted to put his trade value at basically zero or maybe a hair negative. The completely untrustworthy Twitter rumors have the 49ers paying part of his 2025 salary/bonus in order to salvage a pick, which makes sense to me in the off chance that it’s not completely made up.

If 49ers eat like 1/3 of his salary and take our early 3rd I'm interested. Otherwise I say trade for Metcalf instead.

 

[signbabybrady]

Ai-yuck over DK?

Both

 

[TommyD4207]

I am mixed on DK he's My not first or second choice @ WR.

I'm going to frame this post, you not gushing over a non-Patriots WR.

 

[Steve102]

I'm going to frame this post, you not gushing over a non-Patriots WR.

 

[jdlboot14]

Honest WR question. I know we're conditioned to be hopeless optimists with our terrible 1st-2nd year draft picks, like they'll suddenly break out their 2nd or 3rd year. "this coach, this year, he'll figure it out..."
(Bethel J., C. Jackson, Price, Dobson, Harry, Thornton...)

Is it realistic to think the Pats cut Polk or Baker before their 2nd year?
If not, would they cut Boutte or Bourne? (their 2 most productive WR's besides Pop)
It seems Pop is the only guaranteed WR on the roster.

But who would be cut first if/when we're likely to bring in at least 2 new WRs.
Traditional thought says - Baker, and then who? Boutte flashed a lot, Bourne is getting older, Polk is a 2nd rounder

 

[p8ryts]

Honest WR question. I know we're conditioned to be hopeless optimists with our terrible 1st-2nd year draft picks, like they'll suddenly break out their 2nd or 3rd year. "this coach, this year, he'll figure it out..."
(Bethel J., C. Jackson, Price, Dobson, Harry, Thornton...)

Is it realistic to think the Pats cut Polk or Baker before their 2nd year?
If not, would they cut Boutte or Bourne? (their 2 most productive WR's besides Pop)
It seems Pop is the only guaranteed WR on the roster.

But who would be cut first if/when we're likely to bring in at least 2 new WRs.
Traditional thought says - Baker, and then who? Boutte flashed a lot, Bourne is getting older, Polk is a 2nd rounder

I'm in on Boutte, not Bourne.

 

[signbabybrady]

I'm in on Boutte, not Bourne.

I see a role for Bourne as either the 4th or 5th receiver. But also as the benchmark for Polk, Baker, and even Boutte to have to beat in order to make it. Also depends what else we find in free agency and the draft. Even if you like Boutte no reason he shouldn't have to beat out Bourne for his role.

 

[dliverey44]

Honest WR question. I know we're conditioned to be hopeless optimists with our terrible 1st-2nd year draft picks, like they'll suddenly break out their 2nd or 3rd year. "this coach, this year, he'll figure it out..."
(Bethel J., C. Jackson, Price, Dobson, Harry, Thornton...)

Is it realistic to think the Pats cut Polk or Baker before their 2nd year?
If not, would they cut Boutte or Bourne? (their 2 most productive WR's besides Pop)
It seems Pop is the only guaranteed WR on the roster.

But who would be cut first if/when we're likely to bring in at least 2 new WRs.
Traditional thought says - Baker, and then who? Boutte flashed a lot, Bourne is getting older, Polk is a 2nd rounder

I think the entire WR should be worried. With the new regime I think they are willing to make changes where needed and right now they know upgrades are needed but they don't know to what extent yet.

I know people are going to say what do you mean they don't know, but AVP's offense is drastically different than what Josh will use as far as spacing and route concepts. I also think that McD will be better about designing to players strengths, not saying AVP couldn't but he was pretty limited by the team (OL).