The Brandon Aiyuk saga took an unexpected turn this week, with the San Francisco 49ers now willing to field calls from teams interested in trading for the star receiver. Reports indicate that the 49ers have worked out trade frameworks with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots for the disgruntled wideout.
Depending on what the 49ers receive in return—there is word that the team seeks a veteran wideout in addition to draft compensation—the loss of Aiyuk could impact the team's Super Bowl odds. ESPN's Joe Fortenbaugh expressed his belief that the 49ers' Super Bowl window isn't just closing but has already closed.
Fortenbaugh believes Aiyuk has some leverage in this process. While the 49ers could control the player's rights for the next three years through a combination of the fifth-year option and franchise tag, the team is desperate to win a Super Bowl, and Aiyuk's presence increases their chances.
"They know that the window's closing," Fortenbaugh said on ESPN's First Take. "I think the window is actually closed, and I think this trade would end up putting the stake in the coffin."
Fortenbaugh acknowledges that even without Aiyuk, the 49ers' roster is still talented. However, the team couldn't overcome the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl during a relatively healthy 2023 campaign with Aiyuk. Would they be able to beat the odds and return?
"Curse of the Super Bowl loser. What is that?" Fortenbaugh continued. "There's a pretty good explanation, several. One of which is to get to the Super Bowl, you have to be one of the healthiest teams in the NFL. Health is something that's very difficult to replicate year after year. ... If you're a very healthy team like San Francisco was last year, like Philadelphia was two years ago, you're going to experience more injuries next year. It's just the law of averages.
"As those injuries kick in for the Niners this year, the production's going to fall off. They face eight teams this year that are going to have a scheduling advantage against them, and if you take Brandon Aiyuk off the table, Deebo Samuel, who's battled injuries in the past. George Kittle, who's battled injuries in the past. Christian McCaffrey, who's battled injuries in the past. That offense is coming back down. That Super Bowl window is closed."
Courtney Cronin added that if Aiyuk is not on the 49ers' roster in 2024, the Los Angeles Rams should be considered the better team in the NFC.