Jacksonville Jaguars reporter reveals asking price for Brandon Aiyuk trade from San Francisco 49ers

Brandon Aiyuk, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has been linked to several NFL trades this offseason, with the Jacksonville Jaguars among those intrigued. If a team wants to sign the best receiver, it will reportedly come at a steep cost.

While the 49ers want to keep Aiyuk, the team confronts considerable challenges in keeping him long-term. The former first-round choice has developed into one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and as he enters his contract year, he hopes to become one of the highest-paid NFL players.

As much as San Francisco valued Aiyuk’s route running and playmaking, he is only a piece of their offense. In Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, and All-Pro offensive weapon Deebo Samuel have become more important to the team’s success. Furthermore, with players such as quarterback Brock Purdy expected to sign contract extensions by 2025, San Francisco will be unable to retain everyone.

At a time when Calvin Ridley is signing a multi-year deal for $23 million per year in NFL free agency, the 49ers’ front staff recognizes that now may be the greatest time to transfer Aiyuk to maximize his value. Jacksonville is among the NFL teams who have expressed interest, but not at San Francisco’s price.

Brandon Aiyuk statistics (2022-23): 153 receptions, 2,357 receiving yards, 15.4 yards per reception, 15 touchdowns, and 10.8 yards per target in 33 games played.
According to Mia O’Brien of 92.5 FM, the 49ers wanted the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as wide receiver Zay Jones, in exchange for Aiyuk. Negotiations apparently broke down due to the expense and the need to renew Aiyuk’s contract.

While Aiyuk has yet to make the Pro Bowl, the 26-year-old is widely considered as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL today. He is one of the top route runners in the NFL, as seen by having the third-highest yards per route run (3.18) and the second-highest yards per team pass attempt (2.96) last season, according to Player Profiler.

Aiyuk would have quickly been Jacksonville’s top receiver, serving as the go-to target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and giving a talent upgrade over Ridley. However, with investments in center Mitch Morse, defensive tackle Arik Armstead, and wide receiver Gabe Davis, it appears like Aiyuk’s prospects of getting transferred to Jacksonville are very slim.