Total Pro Sports
A fascinating trade proposal has the San Francisco 49ers swapping out Brandon Aiyuk for another big-named wide receiver with a conference rival.
Despite signing a four-year contract extension worth $120 million last offseason, Aiyuk’s name has been widely mentioned in offseason trade rumors. After a career year in 2023, Aiyuk played seven games in 2024 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Over in the nation’s capital, Washington Commanders superstar wideout Terry McLaurin has also entered the trade rumor mill amid reports that he’s unhappy about the lack of a contract extension. McLaurin is entering the final season of his current deal.
Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn proposed a blockbuster trade idea that would see the 49ers send Brandon Aiyuk to the Commanders for Terry McLaurin in a compelling one-for-one swap:
It seems the relationship between Aiyuk and Purdy has been icy since Purdy targeted him just six times in their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs…Meanwhile, McLaurin wants a contract extension. Considering he’ll turn 30 in September, he probably won’t be as expensive as Aiyuk, who is getting paid $30 million per season on average…
Why not flip them for each other?
McLaurin is older than Aiyuk, but he’s also faster than Aiyuk and might have a better relationship with the quarterback. I’m guessing McLaurin would love to play for the 49ers if they extend him. And I’m guessing Aiyuk would love to play with Daniels and Deebo Samuel in Washington.
This seems like trade seems like a no-brainer.”
Sports Illustrated predicts this INSANE trade proposal between the Commanders and the 49ers this offseason:
Commanders receive:
WR Brandon Aiyuk
49ers receive:
WR Terry McLaurin
Who says no? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hO9hQ01CSU
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 9, 2025
There’s no indicator that the Commanders are considering a McLaurin trade, but Cohn’s proposal makes sense here. Both clubs are in win-now mode, and McLaurin and Aiyuk are consistent 1,000-yard threats with elite game-changing abilities.
Terry McLaurin may be three years older, but the cap-strapped 49ers might be keen to get out of Aiyuk’s lucrative extension, especially with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and veteran Jauan Jennings ready for bigger roles.
McLaurin caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. Aiyuk had 25 catches for 374 yards in seven games, but posted a superb 75-1342-7 stat line in the 2023 campaign.
Aiyuk and his 49ers will look to kick off the 2025 season on a high note when they visit the archrival Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sept. 7 (4:05 p.m. EST). Aiyuk has had his way against the Seahawks, racking up 29 catches for 456 yards and two touchdowns in eight regular-season meetings.
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