Chiefs Urged to Send 2 Draft Picks to Super Bowl Rival for $91 Million WR

Chiefs Urged to Send 2 Draft Picks to Super Bowl Rival for $91 Million WR

Brandon Aiyuk, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has hinted that he wants to leave the city, which is why the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have been identified as one of Aiyuk’s favorite trade targets.

According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the Chiefs’ offense would “explode” with Aiyuk in the lineup, and he suggested that Kansas City trade a 2024 first-round pick and a second-round pick to San Francisco in return for Aiyuk.

“Kansas City could certainly use a receiver of Aiyuk’s caliber,” Knox wrote on February 15. “Although Rashee Rice impressed as a rookie, the Chiefs still lack a proven No. 1 wide receiver. Since Tyreek Hill was sold two years ago, tight end Travis Kelce has filled that position, but Kelce will also turn 35 in October.

“The Chiefs are going to have no issue selling Aiyuk on their scenario. They still have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and offensive coordinator Andy Reid on the sideline. While Aiyuk may not have Hill’s raw speed, he has the potential to produce similarly in Kansas City’s offense.

What to Know About Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk, 25, was drafted in the first round (25th overall) out of Arizona State in 2020.

Aiyuk’s productivity in his first two NFL seasons was adequate but not exceptional. According to Pro Football Reference, he grabbed 60 receptions on 96 targets for 748 yards and 5 touchdowns in 12 regular-season games as a rookie. In his second season in the NFL, he caught 56 receptions on 84 targets for 826 yards and five touchdowns.

Aiyuk recorded his first 1,000-yard season in 2022, catching 78 of 114 targets for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns.

However, Aiyuk’s full breakout came in the 2023 season. With second-year quarterback Brock Purdy as the 49ers’ full-time starter,

Aiyuk caught 75 of 105 targets for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular season games.

During San Francisco’s recent postseason run, which culminated with a loss to the Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl,

Aiyuk caught 9 of 20 targets for 149 yards and one touchdown in three games.

Standing 6 feet and weighing 200 pounds,

Aiyuk displays top explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and when working his routes to get open.

He doesn’t typically run away from defenders (he recorded a 4.5 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine),

but his route-running ability helps him to peel away from defenders and offer his quarterback a clear throwing lane.

Aiyuk also has the capacity to play numerous receiver positions. According to PFF,

he has played 75.3% of his NFL snaps out wide and 24.6% in the slot.

Would Brandon Aiyuk Fit in With the Chiefs?

From a scheme standpoint, Aiyuk makes a lot of sense for Kansas City’s offense.

Head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy could design Aiyuk to be a matchup nightmare for rival teams,

and he would be quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first genuine alpha receiver since Tyreek Hill was here.

The Chiefs’ main issue would be Aiyuk’s contract. He has one year left on his rookie contract,

and his 2024 cap hit is $14.1 million, according to Spotrac.

The problem is that Aiyuk is certain to seek a contract extension this offseason,

and Spotrac estimates his market value at four years and $91.9 million. The average annual value is $22.9 million.

Yes, the Chiefs did not want to pay up for Hill two years ago, so they traded him.

But Hill was asking for more money than Spotrac valued Aiyuk at.

So, if the Chiefs trade for him, it’s possible that they’d be prepared to provide Aiyuk a contract extension worth $20 million or more per year.

According to Spotrac, Kansas City will have $23.7 million in available cap space this offseason, leaving plenty of flexibility for Aiyuk.

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