.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders all have one thing in common: a need for wide receiver help.
The Steelers haven't had an adequate No. 2 wide receiver the past two seasons, with the team failing to bring in sufficient help for George Pickens in 2024, and then for DK Metcalf in 2025.
The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans both need a No. 1 wide receiver and depth, and the Commanders need more help for Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels, even if Deebo Samuel returns in free agency.
With all that in mind, Stadium Rant's Levi Omeke believes all four teams are the top landing spots for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk and the 49ers are expected to part ways this offseason after the wideout had the guarantees in his $120 million contract voided, and he has stopped communicating with the team, head coach Kyle Shanahan said.
“I think it’s safe to say that he has played his last snap with the Niners,” general manager John Lynch said this week. “It’s unfortunate, a situation that just went awry. I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes just doesn’t work out. And I think that this was a case where that happened.”
“I would say the last time it stopped for me was when I tried to get a hold of him and couldn’t," Shanahan said. "Tried a couple more times and couldn’t. And that matched everyone else who tried to get a hold of him and couldn’t. There’s not much of an explanation because it’s hard for us and anyone else to understand. That’s why it’s something I’ve never seen in 22 years of coaching.”
The next step is how the Niners part ways with Aiyuk.
Never say never, but it's hard to imagine a team trading draft capital for Aiyuk while also picking up what's left of his contract.
After all, his behavior in this situation has been bizarre, and we haven't even mentioned a video he posted to social media showing him speeding past San Francisco's stadium in his car.
Aiyuk hasn't played since before Halloween 2024, and there are rightly questions about his overall desire to even play football anymore.
All of that means a release is the most likely outcome, which broadens the list of potential landing spots for Aiyuk since teams can sign him to a cheap, prove-it contract.
Considering Aiyuk's history with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, signing him could prove to be a steal, but that's obviously far from guaranteed.
We could see all four of the aforementioned teams making a play for him if he hits the open market, but Aiyuk should be viewed as nothing more than a depth signing until he proves otherwise.
More NFL news
- Keon Coleman rumor pinpoints behind-the-scenes issue with Bills WR
- Lamar Jackson's retweet of trade idea sends Raiders, Ravens fans into frenzy
- Steelers, Raiders, Ravens get great news from Browns head coach rumor
- Joe Mixon injury update points to likely split with Houston Texans
- Raiders head coach rumor pinpoints two possible favorites
English (US)