Could Mike LaFleur bring WR Brandon Aiyuk back home to Arizona or might we see Deebo Samuel in Cardinal Red?
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By Walter Mitchell
When the 49ers drafted WR Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State with the #25 pick in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Mike LaFleur was the 49ers' passing game coordinator.
As a rookie Aiyuk caught 60 passes for 748 yards and 5 TDs, for an 80.1 PFF grade.
Career Stats:
* 2020 --- 748 yards, 5 TDs, 80.1
* 2021 --- 826 yards, 5 TDs, 75.9
* 2022 --- 1,015 yards, 8 TDs, 79.5
* 2023 --- 1,352 yards, 17.9, 7 TDs, 91.7
* 2024 --- 374 yards, 15.0, 0 TDs, 74.6
Per Wikipedia:
Brandon Aiyuk - Wikipedia
On August 30, 2024, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers.[45] During Week 5 against the Cardinals, he had eight receptions for 147 yards in the 24–23 loss.[46] Two weeks later, Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL during the 49ers' Week 7 matchup against the Chiefs. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season.[47][48] Aiyuk finished the 2024 season with 25 receptions for 374 yards in seven games.[49]
On July 18, 2025, Aiyuk was placed on the PUP list as he worked his way back from the ACL and MCL injuries that he suffered the previous October.[50]
On November 21, 2025, it was reported that the 49ers voided the guaranteed money in his contract for 2026 due to lack of participation. Aiyuk told the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) that he was not interested in filing a grievance.[51] On December 13, the 49ers placed Aiyuk on their reserve/left squad list.[52]
John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk: "I think it's safe to say he's played his last snap with the 49ers."
This is bizarre:
Mike Shanahan: "It's confusing because it's confusing."
Commentary:
No one seems to know what's been going on with Brandon Aiyuk. But there seems to be a pattern with the kinds of high-tension rifts the 49ers have had with their free agent negotiations with their WRs that have caused long holdouts and emotional baggage.
First, there was Deebo Samuel's holdout in 2022 which included Deebo's trade request. What made his negotiations unique was how Kyle Shanahan was using Deebo as a "wide back" by having him split time at WR and RB. Following his stellar season in that role in 2021, Deebo was voted the #19 best player in the NFL by his peers. At the end of July, the 49ers and Deebo Samuel agreed to a 30-year, $73.5 million contract extension with $58.1 million guaranteed. His 2022 and 2023 seasons were very productive, but after his 2024 season paled somehwat in comparison, the 49ers traded Deebo to the Washington Commanders for a 5th round pick.
For the Commanders this past season Deebo caught 70 passes for 727 yards, 10.2 ave., 5 TDs and rushed 17 times for 75 yards, 4.4 ave. a 1 TD. 69.4 PFF grade.
He is a 2026 UFA.
Then in 2024, there was Brandon Aiyuk's holdout which lasted all the way through training camp and wasn't resolved until the end of August when the 49ers signed him to a 4-year, $120M contract.
Brandon Aiyuk is expected to garner the interest of a number of WR needy teams. The question is how comfortable a team will be about how he basically quit on the 49ers and how much they can justify compensating him.
While the red flags with Aiyuk are concerning, seeing as the teams in the NFC West now are trying to steal coaches and players from their rivals, the thought of Mike LaFleur rejuvenating Brandon Aiyuk in front the 49ers' eyes and to the sheer delight of ASU fans is very appealing.
Deebo Samuel is still one of the more physically imposing RAC slot WRs in the NFL, therefore he could be a nifty fit at a position of need for the Cardinals. Now 30, his salary should be more affordable.
Now that we are talking WRs with ties to the NFC West, here's two more names to consider:
Jauan Jennings UFA --- has really come into his own the last two seasons combining for 1,618 yards at a 12.3 ave and 15 TDs, 83.1 in 2024 and 57.1 in 2025. He is extremely versatile --- can play wide and be the "big slot."
Tutu Atwell UFA --- speedster who had a tough time getting targets on an offense with Puka Nacua and Davonte Adams, but man, when he did, he caught 6 passes for 192 yards for a whopping 32.0 average and 1 TD. Mike LaFleur knows him well.
Other NFC West UFAs of potential interest to the Cardinals:
LAR:
* RT Rob Havenstein
* QB Jimmy Garoppolo
* CB Roger McCreary
* S Kamren Curl
* CB Cobie Durant
SF
* WR Kendrick Bourne
* RB Brian Robinson
* WR Skyy Moore
* G Ben Bartch
* LB Garret Wallow
SEA
* RB Kenneth Walker III
* WR Rashid Shaheed
* T Josh Jones
* ED Boye Mafe
* CB Josh Jobe
* S Coby Bryant
* CB Tariq Woolen
What do you think of the players mentioned here. Do you have any favorites or major dislikes?
I would sign from this list J Jennings or K Bourne but with no long term QB plan-they won’t come here unless they get overpaid. My priority on this list, who doubtful should not be allowed to leave, would be K. Walker III. How about sending M. Harrison to the Browns for J. Swartz, Bidwill could be a positive trendsetter for once.
ReplyDeleteSwitching to Defense. The only experience coach that I believe that Mikee spoke to for 7 hrs who is still available is Ron Rivera. Is he the one?. I would assume if they end up sticking with Rallis as DC, then I would guess B Bakers agent will be asking for a trade the same day.
Hard no on Prima donna Aiyuk. Deebo was quite disappointing in a non Shanahan system. I really like Kenneth Walker, Atwell and Jennings and esp Shaheed. Sign Mafe!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious if any team is going to pick up Aiyuk given the last year. Our team culture is too fragile to take a risk with a player like that, in my opinion. Walker and Jennings would be good additions, though.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is rightfully talking about what we do at QB, but the running back room is likely going to get an overhaul. While I'd like to see Conner back on a team-friendly deal, we should be looking outside the org for an RB1, or someone we can reasonably expect to be healthy with that kind of potential upside.
Qb will dictate so much. If they cut KM because of no trade interest, leaders like Budda and Connor, maybe J Thompson, must be cut to manage cap signings even for rookies. These are in addition to the cuts to underperforming players. Every coach interviewed understood this along with the staff LaFleur will try to hire.
DeleteThere is no cap concerns. If we keep Kyler, we are in good shape. If we cut Kyler, we will volt to the top 5 in all the NFL in cap space over the next 3 years. If we end up trading Kyler and getting the trading team to take on some money with him, we may be in the best shape in all the NFL.
DeleteThompson is a free agent. He is not a Cardinal unless they resign him.
DeleteThe only WR I hope they even consider is Atwell and only if Lafleur thinks a lot of him. I would rather put the resources elsewhere other than WR's.
ReplyDeleteI would have some interest in Havenstein but I would hope for a better option at RT and his market may be better then I anticipate. If they sign a stop gap RT as a fall back should they not draft one or the draft pick doesn't hit, Williams could serve the same purpose and it would open 7M cap space this year. Elumenor is another option but as a solid option if they aren't going to draft one.
Walker would be awesome but I doubt they let him walk. We have lots of CB's.
Possibly W. Martindale as DC, wonder if he could toughen up W. Johnson at CB
ReplyDelete