The 49ers requested Zay Jones and the Jaguars’ 17th overall selection, but the Jaguars became disinterested in the transaction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who just lost Calvin Ridley to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and the camp of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers reportedly expressed interest in each other last week.
The 49ers would shop Aiyuk for a variety of reasons, including the fact that his asking price exceeds their means. Therefore, they would flip the receiver for a first-round pick, draft his replacement, rinse and repeat, rather than shelling out big bucks for the receiver who they nurtured into an outstanding weapon at a prime position.
After Aiyuk and the Jaguars were mentioned in a tweet by reporter Mia O’Brien, who was first followed by Niners fans, O’Brien clarified the possible deal between San Francisco and Jacksonville:
I read Mia’s tweet as follows: The 49ers requested wide receiver Zay Jones, a 6’2, 200-pound veteran who is nearing the end of his deal, as well as the Jaguars’ first-round selection, which comes in at No. 17 overall this year.
The trade fell through because Jacksonville lost interest in handing up a first-round pick and paying Aiyuk more than $23 million a year.
The tweet that O’Brien was replying to was removed, but it reinforces the idea that the 49ers are, as they should, reaching out to Aiyuk or considering his offers.
Rather than dismissing stories such as this, I would view them as the news that never gets out or as all the things we don’t know. How about trading Aiyuk? Not at all. Is there a deal that would make me reconsider? Yes, without a doubt.
Since this is a business, the 49ers have an obligation to behave in the best interests of the franchise going forward, even in 2024. They will therefore consider all of their options, including dealing their rising star receiver or asking their expensive defensive tackle to accept a pay cut.
